Jannik Sinner outlasts Casper Ruud in Nitto ATP Finals title match | ATP Tour

Matching Report

The sinner moves past Ruud to the Nitto ATP Finals title match

The Italian has won 25 of his last 26 matches

November 16, 2024

Jannik Sinner moved to within one victory of capping his outstanding season in style on Saturday when he dispatched Casper Ruud 6-1, 6-2 to reach the title match for the second straight year.

The Italian received a roaring welcome from the singing home crowd when he took to the court inside the Inalpi Arena and World No. 1 used the power to his advantage in a 70-minute power display.

Sinner’s depth, shooting weight and pinpoint accuracy were huge for Ruud, who was blown away by a wave of power in the third Lexus ATP Head2Head (3-0 Sinner) doubles meeting.

With 69 wins of his historic season, the 23-year-old became the youngest player since 20-year-old Lleyton Hewitt in 2002 to reach the most title matches at the prestigious year-end event.

Standing between Sinner and the eighth tour title in 2024 is American Taylor Fritz. Sinner, who has won 25 of his last 26 matches, defeated Fritz in straight sets in the round robin and is trying to become the undefeated champion at the event. The top player is also the first player to reach the finals without dropping a set since Novak Djokovic’s record seven wins in 2018.

Twelve months ago, Sinner lost to Djokovic in the final in Turin. Since then, he won majors at the Australian Open and the US Open and became the first Italian in history to climb to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Having already received the ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by the PIF honours, Sinner will hope to cap off his outstanding season on Sunday against Fritz in the title match before finishing the year at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next week.

The Inalpi Arena was buzzing all night and Italy’s biggest football stars were on court to watch it. Former World Cup winner Giorgio Chiellini is delighted with Sinner, as is former Juventus manager Maximilian Allegri.

‘Oh! Ole, Ole, Ole! Sin! Sinner,’ echoed through the courts and the former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by the PIF champion gave them plenty to cheer by racing to a 3-0 lead in the first set, with Ruud struggling to match Sinner’s intensity and flat hitting.

The Norwegian, who beat Carlos Alcaraz in the round robin, had a chance to break Sinner at 3-1, 30/40, but let the rule go back when Sinner looked stuck in the net. From there, the Italian made him pay with a high performance that fans and players are used to seeing.

Soni hit 23 winners and committed just nine unforced errors. He dictated the tempo of the game with his waterproof backhand and devastating forehand, pulling Ruud from corner to corner to go for the win. Soni raised his arms high after sealing the victory.

Ruud was making his third semifinal in Turin, losing in the final to Djokovic in 2022. The 25-year-old closes the season at No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings, highlighted by his maiden ATP 500. title in Barcelona.