US Open runner-up Fritz faces Sinner again for ATP Finals crown

Associated Press Turin (Italy): Taylor Fritz is starting to make reaching big finals a habit. He feels like he belongs among the very best players in tennis, too. The American followed his runner-up finish at the U.S. Open by beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (3) on Saturday to play for the trophy at the ATP Finals. “I have believed that I belong, that I'm one of the best players," Fritz said. "It's not results-based. It's more I can feel how I'm playing.

This week is huge.” In Sunday's final, Fritz will will face top-ranked Jannik Sinner  the player he lost to in the U.S. Open final. Sinner also beat Fritz in straight sets in the group stage this week. Sinner advanced with a rapid 6-1, 6-2 win over Casper Ruud. Fritz became the first American finalist since James Blake lost the 2006 final to Roger Federer. The last American to win the elite eight-man event was Pete Sampras, who beat Andre Agassi in 1999. “I trust my game and I trust my level and I don't feel nearly as uncomfortable in these situations anymore because I've been playing the top guys at big events a lot lately,” Fritz said. “I'm getting more comfortable in the moment. I'm really, really confident in my game.” Fritz upbeat after loss to SinnerFritz came away encouraged from his 6-4, 6-4 loss to Sinner on Tuesday. “I felt much more comfortable from the baseline. ... I had chances to break him in both sets,” Fritz said.

“He had an equal amount of chances, and he took his. He played the big points better than I did. It didn't feel anywhere near as one-sided as the Open." Sinner noted that Fritz “played a great match.” “The difference was just a few points. Tomorrow will be very similar. ... But finals are always different than group matches.”