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Taylor unleashes a ROCKET 🚀 #NittoATPFinals | @Taylor_Fritz97 pic.twitter.com/DoaWN50ZEy
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 16, 2024
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Hello and welcome to Alexander Zverev v Taylor Fritz in the ATP Finals semi-final.
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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.
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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.
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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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JOIN US.
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main events
2nd set: *Fritz 6-3, 1-4 Zverev*
Zverev is starting to dominate with rallies and holds a comfortable 4-1 lead at the changeover. For the first time, Fritz looked a little disheveled.
2nd set: *Fritz 6-3, 1-3 Zverev
A short backhand from Fritz was punished by Zverev, making it 0-15, but the American leveled up with a delicious forehand into the corner. Big failure! Fritz misses a down-the-line forehand and Zverev is sniffed out at 15-30…
Zverev is basically standing against the backboard, sitting deep and trying to stay in the rally and deal with Fritz's power. Fritz hit an overhead to make it 30-30, but then conceded the first break point with a wicked backhand on his own serve. Ace! Big serve in important situations.
But Zverev breaks! He clenched his fists and let out a loud scream as he saw the German player take a break after hitting Fritz with a rifle forehand on his toe. he needed it.
2nd set: Fritz 6-3, 1-2 Zverev*
The stadium lights flash as Zverev makes his service move. We need a new light bulb there, folks. The referee stops play and requests that the point be restarted.
Fritz is delighted as Zverev drops his first serve and his powerful groundstrokes throw the German off balance behind the baseline. Zverev is wincing every time he drops a point as he serves Fritz's forehand and sees it whipped back at him. Fritz showed no emotion. He is completely focused on the task at hand. Zverev crosses the line and takes the match, but he can't help but feel the pressure.
2nd set: *Fritz 6-3, 1-1 Zverev
There was a long delay and a lot of jeers and jeers after Zverev's backhand was declared “not up” by the referee. It takes time to get a side angle, but it will eventually reverse your decision. The players tried to replay the point, but Fritz was able to shake it off and make it 40-15…and as Zverev found the back of the net, Fritz held.
2nd set: Fritz 6-3, 0-1 Zverev*
Zverev's body language wasn't great, but he started the second set well, serving and getting into a comfortable hold.
Fritz takes the first set 6-3!
What a Fritz set! He finished in style with a powerful forehand, and the stats show he hit 12 winners and only three unforced errors. Zverev has just that old-school pop in the box, and while he doesn't seem happy with his tactics, he's ultimately the best. Fritz made a really great play, driving the German behind the baseline and passing him as he popped into the net.
Taylor releases a rocket 🚀 #NittoATP Finals | @Taylor_Fritz97 pic.twitter.com/DoaWN50ZEy
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 16, 2024
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1st set: Fritz 5-3 Zverev*
Although he was able to get the hold Zverev loved at warp speed, Fritz ended up serving for the first set.
1st set: *Fritz 5-2 Zverev
Fritz secured a break with an aggressive service game and seemed to be having fun. Zverev, on the other hand, is starting to look unhappy. He shrugged his shoulders and scolded Box. Fritz will love this. The German player is not as complete as Harry Enfield's Kevin the Teenager, but he is not far enough away to take away the first set right away.
1st set: Fritz 4-2 Zverev*
Now, 15-30, Zverev's serve gets hot, he misses a few first serves, and Fritz steps up to second. Zverev missed his first serve again, but his second serve was well placed and he was able to come to the edge of the net and finish the job. 30-30. What a gathering! Fritz drops shot, follows up with a lob, Zverev Joost He reaches the goal with a backhand overhead, but Fritz hits a passing shot that gives him the first break point of the match at 30-40!
Zverev brought it to deuce with his own exquisite pass. The level of tennis is very high. Fritz break! Zverev lost his serve for the first time in the tournament and looked incredibly shocked. Fritz played well, stepped up, went for the line and grabbed the game.
1st set: *Fritz 3-2 Zverev
Zverev and Fritz exchanged multiple backhand blows from the back of the court, and Zverev took another crosscourt shot, but Fritz was unable to take it back. With three big serves, the American regained control at 40-15. A shank forehand would be 40-30. There was a little pressure on Fritz's serve at first, but there was no drama as he won the game with another tricky serve at the T-junction.
1st set: Fritz 2-2 Zverev*
Zverev followed up with a T-down big serve and smash. A well-placed serve then went wide and Fritz's return landed at the top of the net. It's a gathering! Both players cover enough ground and Zverev attempts a drop volley, but Fritz gets there and passes it out, out of reach even of Zverev and his albatross wingspan. Both players were hitting a lot of first serves and didn't have much time to catch their breath or type.
1st set: *Fritz 2-1 Zverev
Another quick hold on Fritz's serve while I frantically Googled a synonym for “boom.”
1st set: Fritz 1-1 Zverev* (* indicates server)
You know the drill. Zverev has been serving and volleying like a dream this past week, showing off his power and Andrex's soft hands. A comfortable hold for Germans. Both players are rattled throughout the match.
1st set: *Fritz 1-0 Zverev (* indicates server)
Fritz hit two strong aces and took the lead in the first game. Zverev tried a small drop shot that didn't miss, but got the point with a jarring crosscourt backhand.
Mito, first set in. Fritz will serve you!
Please calm my heartbeat.
Both players are wearing Roger Federer-style bandanas.However, neither of them opted for Rog's cable knit cardigan. Remember that? Peak Fed.
Zverev is steely and focused and in the best shape of his career so far. Taylor Fritz wins the toss and chooses to serve. Both players have an absolute gun serve, and although it may go to a tiebreak, there are not many service breaks in this match.
Tim Henman thinks Zverev will take thishe is nearly drowned out by the stadium DJ and accompanying strobe show. This can only mean one thing, the players are coming.
The semi-finals are coming soon🥁
are you ready? ! 🔥#NittoATP Finals pic.twitter.com/aVN35KDEnj
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 15, 2024
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Home favorite and top seed Jannik Sinner He will face Norway's Casper Ruud in the second semi-final this evening. The match will also be broadcast live. ambassador, Mr. Liveblogger, you are ruining us.
Sinner hasn't dropped a set so far this tournament, but Zverev, who hasn't even been broken in his last three matches, can do better.
preamble
james wallace
hello and welcome Alexander Zverev v Taylor Fritz At the ATP Finals semifinals.
Zverev has won his last eight matches to continue his strong winning streak, an impressive run of form that has seen the lithe-limbed German win the Paris Masters and perform well in Turin so far.
With a strong performance yesterday, Zverev defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (5), 6-4 and will face Taylor Fritz today. Fritz is something of a boogeyman for Zverev, with the American banning him from both Wimbledon and the US Open this year.
There is plenty to play for, including a coveted spot in tomorrow's grand final. 'Serve-off' in Italy will be at 1:30 GMT and should be a three-set belter.
would you like to join.
