Taylor Fritz edged out Alexander Zverev 6-3 3-6 7-6(3) to reach his first Nitto ATP Finals final.
The American continued his good record against the world number two as he survived a late barrage from the German to reach the final.
Zverev had his chances in the final set but Fritz ultimately prevailed and will now meet Jannik Sinner or Casper Ruud on Sunday.
It was an exhilarating start from Fritz who ensured the forehand was firing early against the player he had beaten in the last three meetings.
As expected both players started efficiently on serve with Zverev stepping in on the big points on serve with the first serve becoming useful for the world number two.
However it was Fritz who backed his game more and the world number five worked the angles in order to break on his second point for a 4-2 lead.
From there Fritz had more energy and power on serve as Zverev had no affect on the match on return.
The American produced some stunning winners as he completed the opening set in 27 minutes with the two-time former champion having work to do.
In the second set there was rare appearance from VAR which brought a smile to Zverev’s face after a successful challenge.
That seemed to free up the German’s play as he applied the pressure on Fritz, approaching the net.
There was more pressure on Fritz to deliver as he committed some crucial forehand errors to hand Zverev the break for a 3-1 lead.
Towards the end of the set Zverev received some heavy pressure from Fritz who once again let loose on the forehand on crucial moments.
A good response was produced from Zverev as he saved break point in the seventh game and edged to the second set which was met by a huge roar from the German.
In the deciding set both players went toe-to-toe with each other and it was Fritz who survived the first big test, saving three break points to take a 3-2 lead.
That was a frustrating period in the match from Zverev and was met with some crucifying backhands from Fritz with the American creating three break points in the eighth game.
Zverev managed to hold and created two break points in the eleventh game but was met with some crucial backhand errors.
The American number one held serve and would go onto dominate the last set tiebreak to reach another big final.
It is Fritz’s first final at the Nitto ATP Finals and he will now play world number one Jannik Sinner or Casper Ruud for the title on Sunday afternoon.
After the match Fritz praised the quality of the match and admitted he trusts his game, “I felt like I played an almost perfect first set, but things can change so quickly when you’re playing someone like Sascha,” Fritz told the ATP website.
“I found myself in some tough spots in the third, when we both started to get on each other’s serves even more. When I was trying to be aggressive I didn’t feel like it was doing much. I just told myself at the end that I had to fight and be solid and tried to take care of my serve the best I could and give him absolutely nothing from the back.
“I trust my game and I trust my level. I don’t feel anywhere near as uncomfortable in these situations anymore because I’ve been putting myself in these situations against the top guys at big events a lot lately… I’m really confident in my game.”
As for Zverev, his season is over after an incredible last few weeks and will now recover for the 2025 season.
