Michael Russell: How Taylor Fritz can put pressure on Jannik Sinner in Turin final | ATP Tour

In the coaches' corner

Russell: How Fritz can put pressure on Sinner in the Turin final

The coach reflects on his player's recent performances against the World No

November 17, 2024

Two years ago Taylor Fritz made his debut at the Nitto ATP Finals and advanced to the semifinals. On Sunday, the American will attempt to complete his second finals appearance of the season with the trophy.

But the fifth seed will face a major challenge in the final at the Inalpi Arena when he crosses the net from top seed Jannik Sinner. It's a repeat of this year's US Open final and Group Ilie Nastase clash played earlier this week.

“I thought the game here was at a higher level than both boys. Jannik is very busy,” Fritz's coach, Michael Russell, told ATPTour.com. “He is calm under pressure and explodes in the corners. He's very quick and can turn defense into offense better than a lot of guys on Tour, which makes it a challenge.

“But Taylor knows that and Taylor, when he works the way he can work at a high percentage, puts a lot of pressure on his opponents. He has a lot of confidence and hits the ball well.”

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In recent years Fritz has experienced many firsts. In Indian Wells two years ago he won his first ATP Masters 1000 title and just two months ago he made his first major final at the US Open. What has he learned from those big game experiences, especially his latest effort in New York?

“I think a lot of it is emotional control and being brave, overcoming any doubts,” Russell said. “We all talk about being in the finals of big events, but then you can do that, that gives you confidence to have that experience and put yourself in those positions so many times. He is always relaxed when he is on the court in that situation.”

The score in the US Open final was 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in favor of Sinner. But in the match Fritz worked for the third set and had a chance to push the match to the fourth set, so he had chances. Since then, the eight-time ATP Tour number one has reached the semifinals in Shanghai and now the final in Turin.

“We are all proud of the way he conducts himself and the work he does and it is an ongoing process,” said Russell. “It doesn't stop. It never ends. You must continue to enter the work again Follow @ process and progress and results will come.”

Regardless of Sunday's result, Fritz will go to Turin breaking new ground. He will climb to No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday and become the first American to finish in the top four at the end of the year since James Blake was No. 4 in 2006.

“It's nice. Starting the year outside the Top 10 and ending the year [at No.] 4, an amazing achievement,” said Russell. “Credit to Taylor and the team for really improving, continuing to improve, continuing to improve.

“He's worked so hard to get to the finals at the US Open, to be in the finals here, to win a lot of 250 events, it's not easy. It's a long year, he's traveled a lot, there's a lot of adversity he's had to deal with and he's done a really good job of maturing and dealing with those changing situations.”

Two years ago, Fritz was new to the Nitto ATP Finals scene, and making the semifinals was an achievement in itself. Now the 27-year-old has the chance to really upset and stun the Italian crowd with the biggest title of his career.

“He's definitely more confident in his abilities and that's not just playing on the field, but the toughness part, the mental toughness, the toughness,” Russell said. “He was always competing with him but now he can see the results. That leads to a new level of confidence when you're in those moments of pressure — the belief to go for certain shots, to hit certain serves, to be able to knock the racquet out of your opponent's hand.

“That's the difference for Taylor in 2024 compared to Taylor in 2022.”