Taylor Fritz reveals what he was telling himself during his ATP finals win over Daniil Medvedev

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Taylor Fritz withstood a furious Daniil Medvedev to pick up his first win at the ATP Finals and 50th of the season.

Taylor Fritz opened his ATP Finals campaign with a flawless straight-sets win over Daniil Medvedev, taking the match 6-4, 6-3.

The first set was closely contested, with Fritz’s serve giving him a slight advantage, before the Russian’s abandoned him.

The turning point came in the tenth game, where Medvedev struck three consecutive double-faults, gifting Fritz the game and the opening set.

After smashing his racquet on court, he later launched another to the floor as Fritz moved through the second set with relative ease, serving it out in confident fashion.

Taylor Fritz reveals the words he kept reminding himself during ATP Finals win

It can be distracting enough staring down the Russian’s unorthodox style.

Made more challenging was his flailing racquets and fickle temperament as Medvedev combusted, virtually tying up both sets for the American.

Remaining cool and composed, Fritz, who had previously lost his sole encounter with the Russian, levelled things up neatly to get his Turin campaign off to an ideal start.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the victory, he said: “I was able to grind through some long rallies or get some free points.

“I felt at 5-3 he was going to reset and try as hard as he could to break me, I had to tell myself he’s not going to just be done with the match,” he said.

“It’s very easy sometimes when someone’s doing that to relax and think they’re just going to be done, and then you drop your level.

“I had to stay focused and play a good game, because he was going to fight. I served a great game,” the American concluded, who faces world number one Jannik Sinner next.

Taylor Fritz faces the ultimate test in Jannik Sinner

The two clashed in the US Open final, where Sinner’s composure outlasted Fritz’s nerves; the American served for the third set at 5-3 but ultimately lost four straight games to hand Sinner the match.

Now, with Sinner boosted by the home crowd in Turin, Fritz will need to bring his absolute best to keep up with his opponent’s stellar form.

Fritz’s ability to maintain calm against a rather wild Medvedev was impressive. This match though will demand much, much more.

To have a chance of beating him, he will need to rely on things out of his control, namely the Italian having a rare off day.