Key events
Second set: *Fritz 6-3, 3-5 Zverev
Fritz makes Zverev come out to serve for it, he’s still having success in the longer rallies and can pick up cheap points on serve. If we do go to a decider, and it looks like we will, the the American still has a good chance of creating an upset. Zverev has not looked as comfortable on court today after a serene week.
Second set: Fritz 6-3, 2-5 Zverev*
Fritz is battling, hitting the lines and covering the court like a whippet to stay in the rallies. It pays off as he carves out a BREAK POINT at 30-40 on the Zverev serve. The crowd gasp at the strokeplay on show.
Zverev serves himself out of trouble to hold, surely this second set is his now?
Second set: *Fritz 6-3, 2-4 Zverev
Fritz shows his mettle with a strong service game.
Second set: *Fritz 6-3, 1-4 Zverev*
Zverev starting to dictate terms in the rallies now, he holds comfortably to go 4-1 up at the changeover. Fritz looking a tad ruffled for the first time.
Second set: *Fritz 6-3, 1-3 Zverev
A short backhand by Fritz is punished by Zverev to make it 0-15 but the American levels up with a deliciously placed forehand into the corner. Big miss! Fritz misses a forehand down the line, Zverev gets a sniff at 15-30…
Zverev is basically up against the backboard as he sits deep and tries to stay in the rally and deal with Fritz’s power. Fritz smashes an overhead to make it 30-30 but then gives up the first BREAK POINT on his own serve with a wayward backhand. ACE! Big serve in the big moment.
But Zverev BREAKS! A rifled forehand at Fritz’s toes sees the German take the break, he clenches his fist and lets out a big yelp. He needed that.
Second set: Fritz 6-3, 1-2 Zverev*
The lights in the stadium flicker as Zverev goes through his service motion. Need a new bulb back there, lads. The umpire halts play and calls for them to replay the point.
Fritz is getting some joy when Zverev drops his first serve, his powerful groundstrokes are knocking the German off balance behind the baseline. Zverev serves to the Fritz forehand and sees it blitzed back at him, he’s sulking after every dropped point now. Fritz is showing no emotion. He’s fully focused on the task in hand. Zverev gets over the line to take the game but not without feeling some pressure.
Second set: *Fritz 6-3, 1-1 Zverev
A long delay accompanied by plenty of whoops and jeers as the umpire calls ‘not up’ on a Zverev backhand. It takes an age to get the side angle but the call is eventually overturned! The players replay the point, Fritz does well to shrug it off and rattle along to 40-15… and he holds as Zverev shanks into the net.
Second set: Fritz 6-3, 0-1 Zverev*
Zverev’s body language isn’t great but he starts the second set well, serving his way to a comfortable hold.
Fritz takes the first set 6-3!
What a set from Fritz! He finishes it off in style with a thunderous forehand, the stats show he’s hit twelve winners and made only three unforced errors. Zverev is having a right old pop at his box, he doesn’t seem to be happy with the tactics but ultimately he’s the one that is out there. Fritz has played really well, pinned the German back behind the bassline and passed him when he has ventured to the net.
First set: Fritz 5-3 Zverev*
A hold to love from Zverev in warp speed but Fritz will now serve for the first set.
First set: *Fritz 5-2 Zverev
Fritz consolidates the break with an aggressive service game, he looks like he’s enjoying himself out there. Zverev on the other hand is starting to sulk. Remonstrating with his box with shoulders slumped. Fritz will be loving this. The German hasn’t gone full Harry Enfield’s Kevin the Teenager but he’s not far off with the first set slipping away quickly.
First set: Fritz 4-2 Zverev*
Here we go, 15-30 and some heat on the Zverev serve as he misses a couple of first serves and Fritz steps up to the seconds. Zverev misses another first serve but the second is well placed and has him able to come to the net and finish the job. 30-30. What a rally! Fritz drop shots and then follows up with a lob, Zverev juuuust reaches it with a backhand overhead but Fritz blasts the passing shot to bring up the first BREAK POINT of the match at 30-40!
Zverev makes it to deuce with a fine pass of his own. The standard of tennis is extremely high. FRITZ BREAKS! For the first time in the tournament Zverev loses his serve and he looks incredibly shocked! Well played Fritz who stepped up, went for the line and grabbed the game.
First set: *Fritz 3-2 Zverev
Zverev and Fritz trade backhand blows from the back of the court, back and forth multiple times before Zverev puts some extra juice on a cross court and Fritz can’t get it back. Three big serves put the American back in control at 40-15. A shanked forehand makes it 40-30. First bit of pressure on the Fritz serve but no drama as he takes the game with another humdingin’ serve down the T.
First set: Fritz 2-2 Zverev*
Big serve down the T and smash to follow up from Zverev. Well placed serve out wide next up and Fritz’s return finds the top of the net. A rally! Both players covering plenty of ground, Zverev tries a drop volley but Fritz gets there and makes the pass, even Zverev and his albatross wingspan can’t reach it. Both players hitting plenty of first serves, not much time to draw breath, or type for that matter.
First set: *Fritz 2-1 Zverev
Another rapid hold on serve by Fritz as I frantically google synonyms for ‘booming’.
First set: Fritz 1-1 Zverev* (*denotes server)
You know the drill. Zverev has served and volleyed like a dream all week and he shows off brute power and Andrex soft hands. A comfortable hold for the German. Both men rattling through their games.
First set: *Fritz 1-0 Zverev (*denotes server)
Fritz sends down two booming aces and takes the first game. Zverev tried a dinky drop shot that didn’t come off but did get a point with a rasping cross court backhand.
Righto, first set incoming. Fritz to serve!
Be still my beating heart:
Both men are sporting a Roger Federer style bandana, neither has opted for Rog’s cable knit cardigan though. Remember that? Peak Fed.
Zverev looks steely and focused, he’s in some of the best form of his career so far. Taylor Fritz wins the toss and elects to serve. Both players have absolute gun serves, we might be in for some tie breaks, I can’t see too many breaks of serve in this match.
Tim Henman thinks Zverev will take this one, he’s almost drowned out by the stadium DJ and accompanying strobe show. Which can only mean one thing, here come the players.
Home favourite and top seed Jannik Sinner will face off against Norway’s Casper Ruud in the second semi final this evening and we’ll be bringing you that game live too. Ambassador, liveblogger, you are spoiling us.
Sinner hasn’t dropped a set so far in the tournament but Zverev can best that, having not even been broken in his three matches so far.
Preamble
James Wallace
Hello and welcome to Alexander Zverev v Taylor Fritz in the ATP Finals semi-final.
Zverev is on a hot streak having won his last eight matches, an impressive run of form that has seen the lissom limbed German scoop the Paris Masters and impress in Turin thus far.
In a commanding performance yesterday, Zverev polished off Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (5), 6-4 and today he goes up against Taylor Fritz. Fritz is something of a boogie man for Zverev, the American having dumped him out of both this year’s Wimbledon and US Open slams.
Plenty to play for then, not least a coveted spot in tomorrow’s grand final. ‘Serve-off’ in Italy is at 1.30 GMT, best of three sets, should be a belter.
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