Djokovic resists Fritz's attacks and will seek to match Federer's six titles

A half-court backhand that died in the net

could have turned around Taylor Fritz's fortunes in his first ATP Finals semi-final, against no less than Novak Djokovic as his opponent.

The American was looking for ball to equalize at one set when he cut short the path of

, who equalized at five games and brought the definition to a second tiebreaker.

Five-time champion of the tournament, Djokovic won 7-6 (5) and 7-6 (6), in one hour and 54 minutes, and will have this Sunday (7:00 p.m., Movistar) the opportunity to place himself with six master titles, at just like the long-awaited Roger Federer.

Fritz played a good game, along the lines he had been doing throughout the tournament, but stumbled on decisive balls, like that second match point against that he delivered with a wide forehand despite having played it with his first serve.

Honors for him, in any case, a worthy competitor in each of his matches.

After adding four victories until this Saturday, Djokovic is also one win away from taking

with which the undefeated champion is awarded.

With four titles this year, including his sixth Wimbledon, the Balkan can close a special year for him in style, in which he has missed many tournaments due to his refusal to get vaccinated against covid.

It

.

If Djokovic could improve something in this edition, it was his traditional expertise as a receiver.

Already in training, he took pains to work on his position to receive.

On a court that emphasizes tee shots, having a good serve or/and a good return makes the road much easier.

Accomplished server Taylor Fritz didn't mind delivering his greatest strength to love in game six;

he rebalanced next.

physical exhaustion

The Balkan came from a three hour and 11 minute fight on Friday against Daniil Medvedev, while his adversary had been resting since Thursday night.

It was difficult for

to govern the party.

He tried to look for his opponent's backhand, but he defended well against cut balls and even found time to open up and hit his best shot.

He also came back from behind in the

and demanded the best of the five-time champion, who

.

Fritz, whose top-eight chances died when he lost to Gilles Simon at Paris-Bercy, found an extra life due to Carlos Alcaraz's injury.

Few expected him in the semifinals,

.

If he hits the first serve he is a dangerous player.

It is when he enters next with the right, but it does not detract if he has to start with the backhand.

He kept Djokovic on edge throughout the match and came very close to forcing a third set with an uncertain outcome against an opponent who never had it all with him.

The good thing about the Serbian is that, as happens with the few players in his rank, better or worse he usually finds a way to solve this type of match.

"Once again I managed to break from 5-4 down, serving Taylor for the set, like yesterday [for Friday] Daniil [Medvedev] for the match. In those moments I found another gear, contained my nerves and made him play a extra hit in the

", he commented at the foot of the court.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

• tennis

• Novak Djokovic

• Carlos Alcaraz

• Rafael Nadal

• Articles Javier Martinez