Taylor Fritz reached the ATP Finals title decider on Saturday by beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) at the season-ending event in Turin.

Fritz will face either world number one Jannik Sinner or Casper Ruud in Sunday's showdown where he will bid to become the first American since Pete Sampras in 1999 to claim the title.

James Blake, in 2006, was the last US man to make the final.

Fritz could yet have the chance to gain revenge on Sinner for being beaten in the US Open final following a gruelling match in northern Italy.

Both players had chances to take control in a topsy-turvy third set, but failed to capitalise on a host of break points.

But Fritz held his nerve better in the tie-break to claim a spot in the final.

Home hope Sinner will be backed by a passionate crowd in the day's main event, the Italian aiming for his first Finals title after an exceptional year in which he won seven tournaments, including his first Grand Slam victories at the Australian and US Opens.

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He lost last year's final to Novak Djokovic, who pulled out of the tournament injured this time around and he entered the 2024 event already assured of becoming the first Italian to top the ATP end-of-year rankings.

However, he has been dogged by controversy after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.

He was initially cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency but at the end of September the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed, seeking a ban of up to two years.

Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Taylor Fritz reached the ATP Finals title decider on Saturday by beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) at the season-ending event in Turin. Fritz will face either world number one Jannik Sinner or Casper Ruud in Sunday's showdown where he will bid to become the first American since Pete Sampras in 1999 to claim the title.

Taylor Fritz reached the ATP Finals title decider on Saturday by beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) at the season-ending event in Turin. Fritz will face either world number one Jannik Sinner or Casper Ruud in Sunday's showdown where he will bid to become the first American since Pete Sampras in 1999 to claim the title. James Blake, in 2006, was the last US man to make the final. Fritz could yet have the chance to gain revenge on Sinner for being beaten in the US Open final following a gruelling match in northern Italy. Both players had chances to take control in a topsy-turvy third set, but failed to capitalise on a host of break points. But Fritz held his nerve better in the tie-break to claim a spot in the final. Home hope Sinner will be backed by a passionate crowd in the day's main event, the Italian aiming for his first Finals title after an exceptional year in which he won seven tournaments, including his first Grand Slam victories at the Australian and US Opens. ALSO READ | 'Difficult for me to....,' India skipper Suryakumar on Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma's record-breaking innings He lost last year's final to Novak Djokovic, who pulled out of the tournament injured this time around and he entered the 2024 event already assured of becoming the first Italian to top the ATP end-of-year rankings. However, he has been dogged by controversy after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March. He was initially cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency but at the end of September the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed, seeking a ban of up to two years. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

ATP Finals: Taylor Fritz battles past Alexander Zverev to reach title decider

Jannik Sinner hit the accelerator at the end of each set as he cruised past Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 on Tuesday to close in on a semi-final spot at the ATP Finals in Turin.

In September, Sinner had to overcome raucous home support to win his last meeting with the American as he claimed victory in the final of the US Open, also in straight sets.

This time, the Turin crowd was nosily behind the Italian.&nbsp;

"The crowd is helping me a lot," said Sinner on the court.&nbsp;

The hard-hitting Fritz, ranked number five, put pressure on Sinner's serve early in the first set. The American had the first break point of the match in the 14-minute seventh game but could not take his chance.

Sinner responded at once, but wasted three break points in the next game before breaking to 15 in the 10th game to take the set.

"I was struggling to return his serve but I am happy with how I handled the situation," said Sinner.&nbsp;

The second set also went with serve until the 10th game when Fritz double-faulted on Sinner's first match point.

"It was a very tough match," said Sinner. "We got to know each other very well in a Grand Slam final, we knew exactly what to expect today it was very aggressive as I was prepared for."

Victory put Sinner top of the Ilie Nastase group with just Daniil Medvedev to face. The home favourite could still be eliminated with a straight-sets loss.

Fritz faces Alex de Minaur who has lost both his matches so far.

In the afternoon match, former champion Medvedev brushed aside Finals debutant De Minaur 6-2, 6-4 to bounce back from an opening defeat and boost his hopes of making the knock-out phase.

The Russian, who lost his first group-stage match to Fritz, overpowered De Minaur to push his Australian opponent.

Medvedev, who lifted the title in 2020, did not face a single break point and broke De Minaur's serve three times.

The fourth seed will next face Sinner on Thursday.

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"I decided not to care about it in a good way," Medvedev said. "If I lose, the season is over, if I win I have another chance on Thursday... I'll try and do the same the next match, so I don't care."

Both players battled to holds in their opening service games but Medvedev broke for a 2-1 lead and never looked back.

He struck 16 winners in the first set and then lost just two points behind his serve in the second.

A break in the ninth game of the second set proved decisive and he closed out victory with another comfortable hold.

Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Jannik Sinner hit the accelerator at the end of each set as he cruised past Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 on Tuesday to close in on a semi-final spot at the ATP Finals in Turin.

Jannik Sinner hit the accelerator at the end of each set as he cruised past Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 on Tuesday to close in on a semi-final spot at the ATP Finals in Turin. In September, Sinner had to overcome raucous home support to win his last meeting with the American as he claimed victory in the final of the US Open, also in straight sets. This time, the Turin crowd was nosily behind the Italian. "The crowd is helping me a lot," said Sinner on the court. The hard-hitting Fritz, ranked number five, put pressure on Sinner's serve early in the first set. The American had the first break point of the match in the 14-minute seventh game but could not take his chance. Sinner responded at once, but wasted three break points in the next game before breaking to 15 in the 10th game to take the set. "I was struggling to return his serve but I am happy with how I handled the situation," said Sinner. The second set also went with serve until the 10th game when Fritz double-faulted on Sinner's first match point. "It was a very tough match," said Sinner. "We got to know each other very well in a Grand Slam final, we knew exactly what to expect today it was very aggressive as I was prepared for." Victory put Sinner top of the Ilie Nastase group with just Daniil Medvedev to face. The home favourite could still be eliminated with a straight-sets loss. Fritz faces Alex de Minaur who has lost both his matches so far. In the afternoon match, former champion Medvedev brushed aside Finals debutant De Minaur 6-2, 6-4 to bounce back from an opening defeat and boost his hopes of making the knock-out phase. The Russian, who lost his first group-stage match to Fritz, overpowered De Minaur to push his Australian opponent. Medvedev, who lifted the title in 2020, did not face a single break point and broke De Minaur's serve three times. The fourth seed will next face Sinner on Thursday. ALSO READ | Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott to undergo season-ending surgery, informs team owner Jerry Jones "I decided not to care about it in a good way," Medvedev said. "If I lose, the season is over, if I win I have another chance on Thursday... I'll try and do the same the next match, so I don't care." Both players battled to holds in their opening service games but Medvedev broke for a 2-1 lead and never looked back. He struck 16 winners in the first set and then lost just two points behind his serve in the second. A break in the ninth game of the second set proved decisive and he closed out victory with another comfortable hold. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

ATP Finals: Jannik Sinner turns aside Taylor Fritz to close in on  last four

World number three Carlos Alcaraz on Friday withdrew from next week's ATP Italian Open due to a right forearm injury that sidelined him in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

The blow comes weeks away from the second Grand Slam of the season, the French Open.&nbsp;

"I felt some pain after playing in Madrid (he lost on Wednesday), some discomfort in my arm," the Spaniard wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"Unfortunately, I will not be able to play in Rome. I need to rest so I can recover and play 100 percent pain free."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2024-rohit-meets-rinku-ahead-of-mi-kkr-tie-at-wankhede-as-tom-moody-calls-it-great-leadership-717623">IPL 2024: Rohit meets Rinku ahead of MI-KKR tie at Wankhede as Tom Moody calls it ‘great leadership’</a>

On Wednesday, Alcaraz saw his title defence and 14-match winning streak in Madrid come to an with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat at the hands of Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals.

The French Open, the sole Grand Slam on clay, gets underway on May 26. Alcaraz reached last year's semi-finals.&nbsp;

The two-time Grand Slam champion, who won the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon last year, turns 21 on Sunday.&nbsp;

World number three Carlos Alcaraz on Friday withdrew from next week's ATP Italian Open due to a right forearm injury that sidelined him in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

World number three Carlos Alcaraz on Friday withdrew from next week's ATP Italian Open due to a right forearm injury that sidelined him in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. The blow comes weeks away from the second Grand Slam of the season, the French Open. "I felt some pain after playing in Madrid (he lost on Wednesday), some discomfort in my arm," the Spaniard wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Unfortunately, I will not be able to play in Rome. I need to rest so I can recover and play 100 percent pain free." ALSO READ | IPL 2024: Rohit meets Rinku ahead of MI-KKR tie at Wankhede as Tom Moody calls it ‘great leadership’ On Wednesday, Alcaraz saw his title defence and 14-match winning streak in Madrid come to an with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat at the hands of Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals. The French Open, the sole Grand Slam on clay, gets underway on May 26. Alcaraz reached last year's semi-finals. The two-time Grand Slam champion, who won the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon last year, turns 21 on Sunday.

Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from ATP Italian Open with arm injury

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ATP Finals: Taylor Fritz battles past Alexander Zverev to reach title decider

ATP Finals: Jannik Sinner turns aside Taylor Fritz to close in on last four

Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from ATP Italian Open with arm injury