ATP Finals 2024: Jannik Sinner cruises past Casper Ruud to set up Taylor Fritz final showdown in Turin

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Home favourite Jannik Sinner breezed past Casper Ruud to book his place in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals in Turin. The Italian came through 6-1 6-2 in one hour and 10 minutes, with the world No. 1 at his scintillating best to see off the threat of his Norwegian opponent. Sinner has not lost or dropped a set in the season finale, and he faces Fritz in a repeat of the US Open final.

Super Sinner overpowers Ruud to advance into ATP Finals showpiece

Video credit: SNTV

Jannik Sinner reached the final of the ATP World Tour Finals with a comfortable straight-sets victory over Casper Ruud in Turin.

The world No. 1 was hardly troubled by the Norwegian, and he set up a repeat of this year's US Open final against Taylor Fritz, who triumphed surprisingly against Alexander Zverev in the earlier semi-final.

Sinner has not dropped a set in the season finale in his home country, and that includes a previous victory over Fritz in the group stage of the competition - a match that the Italian won 6-4 6-4.

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However, fifth seed Fritz has shown resilience in his other three matches, impressing with victories over Daniil Medvedev and Zverev, while coming from a set down to defeat Alex de Minaur.

Here, however, Sinner was always in control. He broke in Ruud's opening service game, setting up break point with a sensational display of defence and offence with an inside-out forehand and drop shot to lure Ruud into the net, before nonchalantly lobbing the Norwegian.

He converted that break point at the first time of asking, firing a wicked forehand into the Ruud forehand corner, which the sixth seed could only palm into the bottom of the net to give his opponent a 2-0 lead.

The Italian, buoyed by a vocal home support and with former Italy centre-back Giorgio Chiellini in attendance, doubled his break advantage, showing clever net play and aggression to tee up three set points, and he broke to love with a sensational backhand line winner to go up 5-1 inside half an hour.

A smash putaway brought up two set points as the clock struck 30 minutes, and Sinner wrapped up the first with a delicate drop shot that Ruud could only slice into the tramlines.

The pair traded holds at the start of the second, with Sinner doing well to suppress a growing Ruud threat at 2-1, and he seized the initiative at 2-2, converting his fourth break point of the game with a looping forehand that Ruud could only desperately hack wide of the mark.

Sinner 'very happy with performance' after beating Ruud to make final

Video credit: SNTV

Sinner broke again at 5-2, showcasing yet more brilliant defence from deep behind the baseline as Ruud sought to become the aggressor. He served out the match in style, with a quick forehand approach winner to set up three match points, and a final ace down the T.

"I felt like I was returning really well in the first games of each set, and when you go up a break you’re trying to be very concentrated on the service games which I’ve done," Sinner said afterwards.

"I was a couple of break points down at 3-1 in the first set, and that could have been a moment of change, which I fortunately dealt with. I raised my level, tried to be quite intense with each shot. I’m very happy with today’s performance and to be in the final.

"I have very similar circumstances and moments [to making the final last year]. I’ll just try to play the best I can tomorrow. Anything can happen. I’m just happy to be back here. From last year, I know that I have more experience; I’ve grown as a player, and hopefully tomorrow is going to be a good day. If not, a very positive week. This year has been a very positive year, so I’m very happy."

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