French Open finalist Zverev, on an eight-match profitable streak after profitable the Paris Masters title earlier in November, had cruised by way of to the semi-finals in Turin and never had his serve damaged throughout all three of his group matches.
However that was to alter towards an impressed Fritz. Although he saved his first break-point alternative, Zverev might solely bat a blistering forehand into the online on his second because the American took a 4-2 lead.
Flustered, the German took solely a single level off Fritz’s serve for the rest of the opening set.
After a Zverev maintain to like within the first sport of the second, drama ensued on Fritz’s serve when the chair umpire dominated the ball had bounced twice earlier than a swooping Zverev made contact.
The 27-year-old requested a overview which, after a prolonged wait greeted by jeers and whistles from the gang, proved he had reached the ball in time and the purpose was replayed.
Two video games later, Zverev secured the break that will determine the second set as a strong forehand, whereas on the again foot, proved an excessive amount of for Fritz to dink again over the online.
Within the deciding set, simply three factors have been dropped on serve throughout the opening 4 video games earlier than Fritz survived triple break level.
Zverev later weathered a nervy sport himself, saving three break factors, earlier than failing to transform two of his personal at 5-5 after Fritz had let slip a 40-15 lead.
A maintain to like from the German pressured the tie-break, nevertheless it was Fritz who took management from there, taking a degree off Zverev on the first alternative earlier than a shocking cross-court forehand at match level ensured his Tour season would final another day.
Wanting ahead to the ultimate, Fritz – who misplaced to Sinner within the US Open closing in September – mentioned: “I belief my sport and I belief my degree.
“I do not really feel wherever close to as uncomfortable in these conditions anymore as a result of I have been placing myself in these conditions towards the highest guys at large occasions rather a lot recently. I am actually assured in my sport.”
In the meantime, Britain’s Henry Patten and his Finnish accomplice Harri Heliovaara have been knocked out of the doubles in a good 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-4) semi-final defeat by the highest seeds, Croatia’s Mate Pavic and El Salvador’s Marcelo Arevalo.
