A "confident" Taylor Fritz understands the task at hand in tomorrow's ATP Finals decider against world No.1 Jannik Sinner, but it's a chance to seek revenge.
The 27-year-old American has lost the past three head-to-head battles, including a meeting four days ago in the round-robin phase where Sinner won 6-4 6-4.
However, the revenge factor will be related to their US Open final meeting two months ago, as Fritz succumbed to a straight-sets defeat in front of his home crowd at Flushing Meadows.
"I think I want to play exactly the way I played in the first set [earlier this week]," said Fritz after his semi-final victory overnight.
"If I do that, I’m sure I served a very high percentage in the first set, my spots were great, I was aggressive on the forehand and really solid off the backhand too. I am going to need to play a lot like that, but either way, it’s going to be a different matchup."
Sinner's consistency has been top-notch throughout 2024, aiming for a 70th-season win and is yet to suffer defeat indoors this year.
The two-time Grand Slam champion is wary of the threats that Fritz can pose.
"It would mean a lot [to win the title], but anything can happen in these kinds of matches," last year's ATP Finals runner-up said.
"Today he played some unbelievable tennis against Sascha [Zverev].
"Honestly, throughout the whole tournament he’s been playing amazing, so let’s see what’s coming."
Yet to drop a set this week in Turin after dispatching Casper Ruud 6-1 6-2 in the semi-finals, Sinner will bid to become the first player to claim the trophy having won every match in straight sets since Ivan Lendl in 1986.
Meanwhile, Fritz is the first American since James Blake in 2006 to reach the final of the prestigious event, and if successful against Sinner, will become the first American to win the title in 25 years.
For the fourth time this year, Fritz got the better of world No.2 Zverev, demonstrating his mental fortitude and growth in maturity.
"A big thing [for me] is that I trust my game and I trust my level," Fritz admitted post-match. "I don't feel nearly as uncomfortable in these situations anymore because I've been putting myself in these situations against the top guys at big events. I'm really confident in my game."
The final between Sinner and Fritz will commence Monday morning at 4am AEDT live on Bein Sports.
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