World No 1 Jannik Sinner defeated American Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4 in Sunday’s showpiece to win the ATP Finals title in front of his home fans in Turin.
Home favourite Sinner, who won the Australian Open and the US Open this year, became the first Italian to win the tournament.
Sinner also became the first player to win the season-ending title without dropping a set since the legendary Ivan Lendl in 1986.
“It’s amazing. It’s been an amazing week – my first title in Italy and it’s something very, very special,” said Sinner.
“I tried to play the best possible tennis I can. That was the key.
“It was a very high-level tournament from my side and at times I couldn’t play better so I’m very happy.”
The Italian has got better and better as the season has gone on, despite the doping case hanging over his head that could still lead to a suspension.
His victory over fifth seed Fritz made it 26 wins from his last 27 matches, a run that included his second Grand Slam title of the year at the US Open, two Masters 1000 trophies and now the ATP Finals having already won the Australian Open at the start of 2024.
He had already beaten Fritz in the group stage and, despite another competitive encounter, it was the Italian who again came out on top in the decisive moments.
He took a fourth chance to break serve at 3-3 before clinching the opening set, and another break in the fifth game of the second was enough to complete the job.
Fritz was the first American to reach the singles final since James Blake in 2006 and was aiming to become the first US champion this century but, as in the US Open final, he found Sinner an immovable obstacle.
The 23-year-old celebrated in front of the jubilant home crowd, and the year could yet have one more high, with Sinner set to head to Malaga, where he will attempt to help Italy successfully defend the Davis Cup title.
Sinner’s stellar season
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