Taylor Fritz says what is different for him at this year’s ATP Finals compared to his first time

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Taylor Fritz is back at the ATP Finals as the fifth best player in world tennis, with the American getting off to the perfect start.

Fritz beat Daniil Medvedev in their ATP Finals group stage opener in Turin, with Jannik Sinner beating Alex de Minaur in the other opening group match.

The American has enjoyed a superb season that has involved two tour-level titles and a first-ever Grand Slam final.

Sinner beat Fritz in their US Open final in September but the American will have taken great confidence from that fantastic run in New York.

His focus is now on a strong ATP Finals venture, with the Italian world number one up next on the court for Fritz.

Taylor Fritz compares this year’s ATP Finals to his first time in 2022

Sinner lost last year’s final to Novak Djokovic in his maiden ATP Finals appearance, with Fritz reaching the semi-finals in his debut in 2022.

As quoted by the ATP website, the American has discussed what has changed since then, with Fritz saying after his win over Medvedev: “My first time [at the Nitto ATP Finals], I was the alternate, no one really expected much of me here. So, I was playing with house money, no pressure.

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“This time, I’m fifth, and I really want to make it out of the group stage. I’m putting more expectation on myself to do better, I’m just a better player and I’m super happy with how I played today.”

Taylor Fritz secures 50th season win over Daniil Medvedev at ATP Finals

Two different storylines played out when Fritz met Medvedev in Turin, with the former certainly strong, but the latter’s game was filled with errors.

The American impressively won 85 per cent of first-serve points as he improved to a 50-21 win-loss record for 2024.

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

Moreover, he levelled his head-to-head record with Medvedev to 1-1, with a revenge victory over Sinner now in his sights.

Medvedev meanwhile is aiming to win the same tournament multiple times for the very first time in his glittering career, having won the 2020 ATP Finals.

But he certainly needs to improve against De Minaur next time out, with his group stage journey concluding with an unenviable challenge against Sinner.