World No 1 Jannik Sinner demolished Casper Ruud 6-1 6-2 to set up a title showdown against Taylor Fritz at the ATP Finals in Turin.
Sinner put on a show on Saturday night to end the hopes of Ruud and set up another match with American Fritz – the player he beat in the US Open final and again in the group stage here on Tuesday.
Sinner put on a show on Saturday night to end the hopes of Ruud and set up another match with American Fritz – the player he beat in the US Open final and again in the group stage here on Tuesday.
Sinner finished off Ruud in this remarkable rally with a quite magnificent lob-volley
Sinner’s stupendous year may have been clouded by an anti-doping controversy but on the court, he is finishing the season like an express train and has won 25 of his last 26 matches.
The 23-year-old Italian star was razor-sharp against Ruud and was in complete control after breaking serve in the second game.
The Norwegian struggled to deal with Sinner’s intensity and flat ball-striking with the Australian Open and US Open Champion making him pay with a surge of power to cruise into the final without dropping a set.
“I felt like I was returning really well in the first game and when I went up a break I tried to be really concentrated with the service games,” said Sinner, who was cheered on by former World Cup winner Giorgio Chiellini and former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri.
“I was a couple of break points down in the first set and then fortunately I managed to get through. I raised my level and tried to be quite intense with it. I’m happy with my performance and happy to be in the final.
“Very similar circumstances because we [Taylor Fritz] already played in the round-robin format and will play again in the final.
“I just try to play the best I can tomorrow. Anything can happen. I’m just happy to be back here. I’ve grown as a player since last year.
“It’s been a very positive week and year so I’m really happy.”
