Taylor Fritz in Dream Finals Start – but Carlos Alcaraz Defeated
Locker Room
November 12, 2024
Taylor Fritz goes into battle against Jannik Sinner today with a surprising victory over Daniil Medvedev already under his belt.
But the tennis world was even more shocked with the way Casper Ruud defeated reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals in Turin.
American Fritz was probably expected to succumb to the superior year-end experience of Medvedev in their opener.
But Taylor tore up the script and wrote another impressive chapter in a career that might just be entering its peak years.
Taylor Fritz and Carlos Alcaraz are tipped to go deep at Wimbledon 2025 next summer.
But Alcaraz played like he needed a rest when he opened up his tournament against the Norwegian underdog Ruud. The Spaniard also appears to be suffering from a heavy cold.
Carlitos has won the last two Wimbledon singles titles – and you can bet he will be blasting away at the business end of Wimbledon 2025 as well.
But Casper held sway so emphatically from the start of their contest on Monday that Alcaraz never recovered. And there was a beautiful power and fluency to the Scandinavian’s game.
Ruud romped to a 6-1, 7-5 upset and said: ‘It’s only one match but it is definitely one of the best wins of the season for me.’
Meanwhile Fritz was also on fire during his 6-4, 6-3 win over fourth seed Medvedev. The most dependable aspect to his game looked particularly effective as he bagged 85 per cent of first-serve points.
Taylor agreed: ‘The serve was huge for me but I also hit a lot of lines, a lot of spots to start out games. I was either able to grind through long rallies or get myself some free points.’
Fritz is thriving and doesn’t seem to feel any pressure. ‘It’s my first time at the Finals and I was the alternate. No one really expected much of me here.’
And no one expects much of Taylor when he plays Sinner in front of the Italian’s home crowd this evening either. But these are exciting times for American tennis fans.
Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff are playing the sort of tennis that makes you think they could also command Centre Court at Wimbledon 2025.
Anything is possible. Will you be there to watch dreams come true at Wimbledon 2025?
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