Alexander Zverev must be absolutely sick of the sight of Taylor Fritz when it comes to 2024.
The American has had the advantage over the German performer and last night he defeated the world number two again at the ATP Finals in Turin.
Fritz is through to his first final at the event, coming through in three sets to set up a repeat of the US Open final with Jannik Sinner.
The 27-year-old won 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 to reach the final at the ATP Finals for the first time in his career.
Fritz has been the man for the big occasion when it comes to beating Zverev.
His three wins prior to last night came at Wimbledon, the US Open and in the round-robin stage of the Laver Cup.
Zverev did get the better of Fritz back in the summer when the pair met in the quarters of the ATP 1000 event in Rome.
It was Fritz who prevailed again in Turin, however, and ended the campaign in a disappointing style for Zverev.
Alexander Zverev on what Taylor Fritz has improved during 2024
It’s a remarkable run of form that Fritz has against Zverev and it must be something that he’s aware of.
Fritz wasn’t overly fancied to beat Zverev last night but played brilliantly well in the deciding set to earn a date with Sinner.
Zverev spotted something that Fritz had clearly worked on and spoke to Tennis TV on his counterpart afterwards.
He explained: “The number one thing is forehand. His forehand used to break down quite a lot, his forehand was always fast and aggressive but it was very shaky in important moments.
“He could hit a winner or the fence as well, I feel the ratio is a lot more towards hitting winners now than hitting the fence.
“His forehand doesn’t break down as much as it used to so I think that’s the shot that improved the most for him.”
Fritz looking to do what no American has done since 1999
It’s quite remarkable but Fritz can become the first American player to win the ATP Finals since 1999 with a win later on Sunday.
Pete Sampras came through a final against Andre Agassi on that occasion and it’s been a long wait for another winner from the United States.
Sampras winning this event became commonplace in the nineties and America are awaiting another Grand Slam winner.
Fritz will feel that he’s the best place to do that next year after reaching his maiden final at the US Open in September.
For now, all eyes in the United States will be on him later as he aims to exact retribution on Sinner after the pair’s meeting in New York.
Winning won’t be easy but if Fritz can get that forehand going again, he will give himself every chance of claiming a huge victory.
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