The opening day on the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals went the best way most individuals anticipated, with Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner each bagging victories to kick begin their bid to succeed in the knockout levels.
Fritz was the primary on court docket within the afternoon session, and he took full benefit of a Medvedev meltdown to win 6-4 6-3 in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Medvedev has no enterprise being on the court docket in current weeks, as his sport has dropped off considerably in current months. It could possibly be a shoulder problem, not liking the balls, or one thing else. Who is aware of, however he’s not having fun with being on the court docket.
Within the night session, Jannik Sinner took on Alex de Minaur, coming via a reasonably uneventful match 6-3 6-4 in 1 hour and 25 minutes to share the highest spot in Ille Nastase group.
Recap, stats and highlights beneath.
Nitto ATP Finals 2024 Day 1 Outcomes
Winner
Loser
Scoreline
Taylor Fritz (5)
Daniil Medvedev (4)
6-4 6-3
Jannik Sinner (1)
Alex de Minaur (7)
6-3 6-4
Fritz Feasts on Medvedev’s Meltdown
My decide for one of many two to make it out of Group Ilie Nastase, Taylor Fritz, made a rock-solid begin to his ATP finals marketing campaign, brushing apart Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-3 in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
The American has had a stellar season, whereas Medvedev has struggled since early Spring. His error-strewn efficiency has summed up the previous few months for him on tour, and also you get the sense the low season can’t come fast sufficient.
Each guys performed somewhat cagily within the opening few video games, and there wasn’t a single break level on provide within the first 9 video games.
Nevertheless, when serving at 5-4, 30-15, Medvedev hit three double faults in a row to drop the set. That precipitated a meltdown, and he smashed his racket on the bottom in the course of the change of ends, which resulted in a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Within the second, Medvedev grew to become extra aggressive from the baseline and usual break factors in Fritz’s first two service video games, however he couldn’t take benefit.
Fritz then broke for a 4-2 lead after popping out on prime in a 21-shot rally, prompting yet one more Medvedev meltdown.
The 2020 ATP Finals winner was hit with a degree penalty for throwing his racket after which intentionally hitting an on-court microphone. He then argued with the umpire and threatened to retire.
From there, Medvedev was mentally gone as Fritz eased to victory, getting his ATP finals off to the perfect begin. He’s in pole place to progress to the knockout levels.
The serve was an enormous a part of it for positive. He’s such returner. You may make lots of first serves, but when they’re not very prime quality, he places so many returns within the court docket. It was enormous for me, I hit lots of traces, lots of spots to begin out video games. I bought out of lots of service video games with no stress. In a number of the ones we bought tight in, I may both grind via the lengthy rallies or get myself some free factors. My first time [at the Nitto ATP Finals], I used to be the alternate, nobody actually anticipated a lot of me right here. So, I used to be taking part in with home cash, no stress. This time, I’m fifth, and I actually need to make it out of the group stage. I’m placing extra expectations on myself to do higher. I’m only a batter participant, and I’m tremendous proud of how I performed at present. It’s very simple generally when somebody’s doing that [Medvedev’s antics] to form of loosen up and suppose that they’re simply going to be carried out, and then you definately form of drop your stage. I simply needed to attempt to inform myself to remain centered. I performed a extremely good five-three sport as a result of he was going to he was going to battle for that sport. Fortunately, I then served an awesome sport (to win). Fritz on his opening win.
Match Stats
Daniil Medvedev
Taylor Fritz
Aces
8
9
Double Faults
8
0
1st Serve Share
63%
68%
1st Serve Factors Gained
79% (30/38)
85% (33/39)
2nd Serve Factors Gained
27% (6/22)
56% (10/18)
Break Factors Saved
50% (2/4)
100% (3/3)
1st Return Factors Gained
15% (6/39)
21% (8/38)
2nd Return Factors Gained
44% (8/18)
73% (16/22)
Break Factors Transformed
0% (0/3)
50% (2/4)
Winners
17
21
Unforced Errors
24
19
Web Factors Gained
63% (5/8)
45% (5/11)
Service Factors Gained
60% (36/60)
75% (43/57)
Return Factors Gained
25% (14/57)
40% (24/60)
Whole Factors Gained
43% (50/117)
57% (67/117)
Service Video games Gained
78% (7/9)
100% (10/10)
Return Video games Gained
0% (0/10)
22% (2/9)
Whole Video games Gained
37% (7/19)
63% (12/19)
Highlights
Sinner Slips Previous De Minaur in Simple Victory
Jannik Sinner additionally bought his 2024 ATP finals off to a stable begin, nearly mirroring the Fritz match. Just like the fifth seed, he received 12 video games and misplaced seven en path to his 6-3 6-4 win towards Alex de Minaur.
The Italian is the betting favorite for the title in Turin, however he was the primary to drop serve within the third sport.
Nevertheless, De Minaur couldn’t consolidate, and a run of 4 straight video games put Sinner up 5-2 earlier than he took the set 6-3.
Set two noticed Sinner break decisively within the fifth sport, with solely a sudden and surprising medical emergency within the crowd briefly halting his cost as he maintained his benefit via to the end line.
De Minaur may solely win 4 return factors within the set as he struggled to make a lot of an impression towards the heavier ball hanging of Sinner, who now leads the Aussie 8-0 within the H2H.
Contemplating [how long since I last played], I’m very glad. I began off with some unforced errors. He was taking part in nice to start with of the match, so I simply tried to remain there mentally, understanding that hopefully sooner or later my tennis would arrive. It arrived fairly erly, and I began to return very nicely. My serve, for positive I’ve to enhance if I need to [win] the subsequent match. Towards Taylor [Fritz] for instance, at present he performed very well. Let’s see, however at present I’m very happy concerning the win and hopefully this may give me confidence for the subsequent one. Sinner on his win.
Match Stats
Jannik Sinner
Alex de Minaur
Aces
8
3
Double Faults
1
2
1st Serve Share
64%
0.65
1st Serve Factors Gained
81% (26/32)
67% (24/36)
2nd Serve Factors Gained
78% (14/18)
37% (7/19)
Break Factors Saved
0% (0/1)
57% (4/7)
1st Return Factors Gained
33% (12/36)
19% (6/32)
2nd Return Factors Gained
63% (12/19)
22% (4/18)
Break Factors Transformed
43% (3/7)
100% (1/1)
Winners
18
7
Unforced Errors
24
28
Web Factors Gained
86% (12/14)
47% (7/15)
Service Factors Gained
80% (39/49)
56% (31/55)
Return Factors Gained
44% (24/55)
20% (10/49)
Whole Factors Gained
61% (63/104)
39% (41/104)
Service Video games Gained
90% (9/10)
67% (6/9)
Return Video games Gained
33% (3/9)
10% (1/10)
Whole Video games Gained
63% (12/19)
37% (7/19)
Highlights
Press Conferences
ATP Finals 2024 Day 2 Schedule
Monday eleventh November:
14:00: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Casper Ruud
20:30: Alexander Zverev vs. Andrey Rublev