ATP Finals 2024 Day One Recap

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 courtroom 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 courtroom in current weeks, as his sport has dropped off considerably in current months. It may very well be a shoulder concern, not liking the balls, or one thing else. Who is aware of, however he’s not having fun with being on the courtroom.

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 under.

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 couple of 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 supply within the first 9 video games.

Nonetheless, when serving at 5-4, 30-15, Medvedev hit three double faults in a row to drop the set. That prompted a meltdown, and he smashed his racket on the bottom throughout the change of ends, which resulted in a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Within the second, Medvedev turned extra aggressive from the baseline and normal 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 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 best begin. He’s in pole place to progress to the knockout levels.

The serve was an enormous a part of it for certain. He’s such returner. You can also make numerous first serves, but when they’re not very prime quality, he places so many returns within the courtroom. It was big for me, I hit numerous strains, numerous spots to start out out video games. I bought out of numerous service video games with no strain. 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 strain. 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 pleased with how I performed at present. It’s very straightforward typically when somebody’s doing that [Medvedev’s antics] to form of chill out and assume that they’re simply going to be performed, and you then form of drop your stage. I simply needed to attempt to inform myself to remain targeted. I performed a very 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 incredible sport (to win). Fritz on his opening win.

Match Stats

Daniil Medvedev
Taylor Fritz

Aces
8
9

Double Faults
8
0

1st Serve Proportion
63%
68%

1st Serve Factors Received
79% (30/38)
85% (33/39)

2nd Serve Factors Received
27% (6/22)
56% (10/18)

Break Factors Saved
50% (2/4)
100% (3/3)

1st Return Factors Received
15% (6/39)
21% (8/38)

2nd Return Factors Received
44% (8/18)
73% (16/22)

Break Factors Transformed
0% (0/3)
50% (2/4)

Winners
17
21

Unforced Errors
24
19

Web Factors Received
63% (5/8)
45% (5/11)

Service Factors Received
60% (36/60)
75% (43/57)

Return Factors Received
25% (14/57)
40% (24/60)

Complete Factors Received
43% (50/117)
57% (67/117)

Service Video games Received
78% (7/9)
100% (10/10)

Return Video games Received
0% (0/10)
22% (2/9)

Complete Video games Received
37% (7/19)
63% (12/19)

Highlights

Sinner Slips Previous De Minaur in Easy 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.

Nonetheless, 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 blissful. I began off with some unforced errors. He was taking part in nice at first of the match, so I simply tried to remain there mentally, figuring out that hopefully sooner or later my tennis would arrive. It arrived fairly erly, and I began to return very effectively. My serve, for certain I’ve to enhance if I need to [win] the following match. Towards Taylor [Fritz] for instance, at present he performed very well. Let’s see, however at present I’m very happy in regards to the win and hopefully this may give me confidence for the following one. Sinner on his win.