There is no one to stop Jannik Sinner: the Italian was crowned again this Sunday, at home and in front of his people, by proclaiming himself ATP Finals champion after defeating Taylor Friz (6-4 and 6-4) and without conceding a single set throughout the tournament. He has also done so, making history, because at 23 years old he has become the first Italian to lift the title.
World tennis has a new ‘Master’, heir to the greatest athletes of this sport. Federer, Murray, Sampras, Becker… Djokovic was the last. But the new generation is already here. AND Sinner was the first to assault the scepter of world tennis with an exhibition on Italian lands, in his home, before an audience surrendered to his new star, before his new idol, whom he chanted tirelessly.
His season is at a very high level. In the same year that he won his first two Grand Slams, those of Australia and the United States, he closed the ATP circuit with the most important title at the end of the season. With the umpteenth show of authority, power, superiority.
The reality is that despite the great absence of ‘Nole’ this year, despite Alcaraz’s cold or Zverev’s defeat in the semifinals, nothing can dispute Sinner’s overwhelming superiority in this tournament. He has been the absolute owner in every game. The rival to beat. The proper name of the tournament. The figure par excellence of the event that brought together the eight best tennis players on the planet with the only exception of the Serbian.
Fritz is going to have nightmares about Sinner. Because in the final of the US Open, of ‘his’ tournament, he lost to San Candido. This same Tuesday, in the group stage, they also lost. And, although it is often said that the third time is the charm, he once again succumbed to the spectacular record of a tennis player without limits. All the matches without being able to make a set against the fittest tennis player on the circuit.
It’s not that Fritz didn’t play well. It’s just that Sinner was once again intractable. He barely made any mistakes. Resilient in defense and clinical in attack. And, if he does not make mistakes, with the technique of his blows, fast and powerful, the opportunities to win are minimal. Virtually non-existent.
Sinner is a player who wears down his opponent by being a wall. His incredible resistance allows him to find cracks that the rival makes for himself almost as a result of desperation, of always seeking to adjust as much as possible trying to force the Italian. And in the first set, with the score at 3-3, Sinner found her.
He had two balls of break with 40-15 in his favor. But Fritz saved them. He put it 40-40. But he didn’t finish closing with his serve and Sinner earned another breaking point. Fritz saved again. In the fourth, there was no forgiveness from the Italian, who got the set back on track.
He had to put on work overalls when Fritz had a ball break that could change everything right after Sinner blew a set point. But it was the Italian’s night and nothing could stop it. He saved that small setback and successfully closed his second opportunity.
With Fritz forced to react, nervous that another opportunity was slipping away, Sinner accelerated.. The American tried to take refuge on his bench, desperately searching for an explanation, but ended up succumbing to the wishes of the young sensation. Two balls of break and made it 3-2 in their favor. 4-2 with his serve. Victory was one step away.
Already in the last game of the match he wanted to show off. He raised the audience by ending a very long exchange with an unattainable, beautiful drop shot. It was the final blow, Fritz was out. Sinner’s name began to echo in the Inalpi Arena. A year of 70 victories. His historic tournament. More consecrating, if possible. ‘Master’ at 23 years old.
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