Sinner Ruud Nitto ATP Final 2024 Saturday | Nitto ATP Finals

Jannik Sinner came within one win on Saturday of ending his standout season in style as he defeated Casper Ruud 6-1, 6-2 to reach the title match for the second year in a row at the Nitto ATP Finals.

The Italian received a thunderous welcome from the noisy home crowd as he walked onto the pitch at the Inalpi Arena and the world number 1 used the energy to his advantage in an electric 70-minute spectacle.

Sinner’s depth, weight of shot and pinpoint accuracy were too much for Ruud, who was blown away by a tidal wave of power during the pair’s third Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting (3-0 Sinner).

“I felt like I bounced back well in the first games of each set and going into a break I tried to be very focused with service games,” Sinner said. “I tried to be intense with every stroke and I am very happy with the performance and to be in the final again.”

With the 69th win of his historic season, the 23-year-old became the youngest player since 20-year-old Lleyton Hewitt in 2002 to reach multiple title matches at the prestigious end-of-year event.

Standing between Sinner and an eighth tour-level title in 2024 is American Taylor Fritz. Sinner, who has won 25 of his past 26 matches, defeated Fritz in straight sets in the round-robin stage and is looking to become an undefeated champion at the event. The top seed is also the first player to reach the final without dropping a set since record seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in 2018.

Twelve months ago, Sinner defeated Djokovic in the round-robin stage, but lost to the Serb in the final in Turin. He has since won majors at the Australian Open and US Open and became the first Italian in history to rise to No. 1 in the PIF ATP rankings.

“It’s a similar circumstance to last year as we’ve already played in the round-robin. I’m just trying to play the best I can tomorrow,” Sinner said. “From last year to now I feel like I have more experience and have grown as a player. Hopefully it will be a good day after a very positive week and a very positive year.”

After Sinner was already ATP Year End No. 1, presented by PIF awards, Sinner hopes to conclude his iconic individual season against Fritz in the title match on Sunday before ending the year at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next week.

The Inalpi Arena was a cacophony of noise all evening and some of Italy’s biggest football stars were on the court to watch. Former World Cup winner Giorgio Chiellini cheered on Sinner, as did former Juventus manager Maximilian Allegri.

‘Oel! Ole, Ole, Ole! Sinner! Sinner’ echoed through the stands and the former Next Gen ATP Finals, presented by PIF champions, gave them plenty to cheer by racing to a 3-0 lead in the first set, with Ruud struggling to cope Sinner’s intensity and flat ball attacks.

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The Norwegian, who defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the round-robin stage, did have the opportunity to break Sinner 3-1, 30/40, but fired a regular backhand wide as Sinner stranded at the net. From then on, the Italian made him pay with a dominant performance that fans and players have become accustomed to.

Sinner hit 23 winners and made just nine unforced errors. He dictated the pace of the match with his watertight backhand and devastating forehand, pulling Ruud from corner to corner to cruise to victory. Sinner raised his arms after sealing the victory.

Ruud took part in the semi-finals for the third time in Turin, after losing to Djokovic in the final in 2022. The 25-year-old ends the season at number 6 in the PIF ATP rankings, culminating in his first ATP 500 title in Barcelona.