World No.1 Yannick Siner made a winning start to the delight of his Turin supporters in the season-ending ATP Finals, while Daniil Medvedev lost to Taylor Fritz.
Siner, who finished runner-up to Novak Djokovic at last year’s prestigious tournament, began his bid to win the title for the first time with a 6-3 6-4 defeat of tournament debutant Alex de Minaur.
The Italian, who won this year’s Australian and US Open titles to open his Grand Slam account, fell behind in the first set but quickly hit back to dominate the contest, finishing with a masterful serve.
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Sinner received a hero’s welcome from the Turin crowd ahead of his debut as world No.1
Considering that I have not played for four weeks, I am very happy,” said the 23-year-old football player. “At the beginning of the match I started with a few unforced errors. I just tried to hang in there knowing mentally that at some point my tennis would come and I started to come back really well.
“I have to improve my serve for the next match because Taylor (Fritz) played really well today. We’ll see, but I’m very happy with the win.”
He added about playing in Turin. “The crowd and the energy. I love playing at home. It’s been so warm and I can’t wait for the next one.”
The tape tale
An incredible season of Sinner
Medvedev lost to Fritz
Daniil Medvedev had plenty of upsets in his first-round loss to Taylor Fritz at the ATP Finals.
Daniil Medvedev suffered a series of setbacks when he lost his opening match at the ATP Finals against Taylor Fritz.
The American, who reached the semi-finals on his debut two years ago, produced a 6-4 6-3 victory.
The same could not be said for Medvedev, who was cautioned for smashing his racket after hitting three consecutive double faults to end the opening set.
The former US Open champion then lost his cool again after Fritz’s errant forehand landed on the baseline to seal a crucial break at 4-2 in the second set, throwing his racket and sliding into the microphone to earn a point penalty.
Soon after the match was over, fifth seed Fritz decided to keep his focus regardless of what was happening at the other end of the court.
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Three double-faults, a broken racket and a penalty point as Daniil Medvedev suffered multiple collisions against Taylor Fritz in the finals of the ATP…
“I definitely felt like at 5-3 he was going to reset and try as hard as he could to break me,” Fritz said.
“Sometimes it’s easy when someone does that to relax and think they’re just going to be over. Then you get down. I just had to tell myself to stay focused 5-3- on, to play a really good game because he I’m going to fight for that game, luckily I played a great game.”
Added Fritz, who is the first American to reach 50 wins since James Blake in 2006 and 2007. on myself to do better, I think I’m just a better player.”
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American star Fritz reflected on a strong opening game against Medvedev
In his press conference, Medvedev gave details about his stay in Italy, adding that these days he gets zero pleasure from being on the court.
“Every practice is a struggle. I’ve been having a long time. So it’s not surprising for the 2020 tour.”
“The ATP final was not easy for me, but as always I am fighting.
“Like I’ve said for a long time, I’m struggling with something that’s not up to me. I’m still No. 5 in the world if Taylor plays well pretty decent.
“I’m sure a lot of guys will like it. But I’m tired of fighting it. I’ll see how it goes in the next matches.” If it doesn’t work out, I’m happy.
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Medvedev explains his outbursts in loss to Fritz and struggles with his motivation to compete
The tape tale
What Ilie Nastase Group looks like…
Britain Henry Patten and his doubles partner Harry Heliovaara opened their first campaign in Turin with a win, beating Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.
Monday at the Nitto ATP Finals on Sky Sports Tennis
- Four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz takes on Casper Rude at 1pm (GMT) in the John Newcombe Group.
- The new world number 2 Alexander Zverev will meet Andrei Rublev from 7:30 p.m.
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