Taylor Fritz, from substitute to semifinalist against Djokovic

taylor fritz25 years old, will be his rival Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of ATP Finals in Turin (Italy)the tournament that will crown a new ‘master’ of tennis on Sunday to replace the German Alexander Zverevout due to his serious injury in the semifinals of Roland Garros in the view of Rafael Nadal.

In another clash of young giants with second place in the green group at stake, the American maintained his high level all week to beat the Canadian. Felix Auger-Aliassime and polish his replacement status: 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5) and 6-2 in 2h.44′ of play.

Fritz entered the masters for the loss due to injury of the world number 1, Carlos Alcaraz, and now he has a chance to become a top reserve. He will now fight for a place in the final against Djokovic, who is seeking to equal the Swiss record of six titles in Turin Roger Federer.

the norwegian Casper Ruud will play in the other semifinal against the winner of Friday’s match between the Greeks Stefanos Tsitsipas and the russian Andrei Rublev.

Fritz and Auger gave a recital, to the point where the first two sets were decided in tiebreaks: Felix was weaker in the first and Taylor opened the second with the Canadian by committing his double fault when he was 4-2 up.

However, in keeping with his recent performances, Fritz conceded without batting an eye and took flight in the third set when he finally broke his opponent’s serve in the fourth game. After two and a half hours without facing a break point match, Auger exposed his serve for the first time and, although he saved the first two, the North American took advantage of the third to put himself up 4-2 and pave his way to the semifinals (6- two).

Auger-Aliassime advances to ATP Finals, with 16 wins and three consecutive indoor titles (Florence, Antwerp and Basel) before losing in the semifinals of Masters 1,000 of Paris-Bercy danish is new Holger Runein the end the champion.

In that match he already showed some signs of fatigue and, although he had a chance to reach the Masters semifinals, his tennis in Turin lost the enormous ‘punch’ he showed in his clean month of October.

Fritz, attentive to any mistakes of the favorites, was on his own merits in the semifinals, playing with great courage also in the moments of maximum pressure. He hasn’t beaten Djokovic in five matches, but on Saturday he will try to break that stat. The Serbian is on a good level and the favorite for the title, but the American showed this week that he can be a serious threat.