Taylor Fritz reaped the rewards of not giving up following a major disappointment, with the American defeating Thiago Tirante 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (3) on Saturday to win the Stockholm Open.

The Californian will finish the season on 10th in the ranking and now heads to Turin to serve as second alternate at the ATP Finals which begin on Sunday in northern Italy.

Fritz swept the last five points against an Argentine opponent who recently admitted to struggling with his mental health as a journeyman player.

Fritz was barely a week removed from heartbreak at the Paris Masters when he held match point against Carlos Alcaraz but still lost their quarter-final.

“I wanted to go home so bad, I knew that I would feel like a quitter,” Fritz said in Stockholm. “I would be disappointed with myself. 

“I’m playing great tennis, it’s great to end the year with a title. This is really big for me after what happened in Paris.”

Victory in the Swedish capital marked the 12th career trophy for Fritz from 25 finals and the first indoor success of his career.

The winner said he was tested by his South American opponent. 

“He played a good defensive game and changed the momentum of the match in the second set. It was hard for me to break after that.

“It turned into a war of a match.”

Main photo:- Taylor Fritz lifts Stockholm trophy – byATPTour.com

Jannik Sinner has given a far-from-upbeat report on the state of his knee injury, with the Italian seemingly unsure about his chances of making it to January’s Australian Open start.

The former world No. 1 – now ranked third – has not played since winning Wimbledon as he tries to heal a knee injury without resorting to surgery.

Sinner told Sky Italia of his concerns and admitted his chance of playing in Melbourne from January 17 remain hazy

.”I have the best doctors in the world by my side, and I’m following the plan they’ve laid out for me,” he told the broadcaster.

“I have to accept this situation so I can come back stronger than before.”
Sinner added: “

This is the first time I’ve felt like I don’t have control over the situation, and it’s strange, a feeling I don’t like. 

At least now I can spend more time with my family and friends.

“My goal is to be in Australia, and I hope I can make it in time, maybe even play a tournament before then. Right now I have to respect the timelines and follow the medical protocols, without trying to speed up my recovery.

“I have complete faith in the team treating me, and I’m working to be able to achieve that goal.”

Sinner is theoretically signed for the multi-million dollar Saudi exhibition in the closing days of 2026, but that event is again under a cloud due to the political and military situation in the troubled region.

The player has reportedly been making the rounds of medical specialists in hopes of rehabbing the injury without going under the knife.

During his time away he has replaced retiring Aussie coach Darren Cahill with Swede Magnus Norman, who just ended after taking now-retired Swiss Stan Wawrinka to three Grand Slam titles.

Main photo:- Wimbledon 2026 Jannik Sinner with Winners Trophy by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd

Carlos Alcaraz claimed the ninth Masters 1000 title of his career on Sunday, coming from a break down in the second set to defeat Ben Shelton 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the final in Paris.

The world No. 3 has now lifted trophies at seven of the nine Masters events, with only Canada and Shanghai missing from his trophy list in the elite series.

Alcaraz took revenge on Shelton after losing to the American two months ago in a US Open quarter-final as he came back after four months out with a right wrist injury.

The 23-year-old with seven Grand Slam titles came good at a venue where his form has always been a question. He stopped Shelton’s big serve – 12 aces – in just under two and a half hours to lift his fifth title of 2026.

“This is something I’ve been chasing for a long time,” the winner said. “I’ve had tough losses in Paris, I never found my best level. I never felt comfortable on the court.”

Alcaraz out-duelled Shelton in a first set lasting 72 minutes, with the pair saving eight break points between them before the set went into a tiebreaker.

Alcaraz took it on his second set point but found himself trailing 4-2 in the second set as his opponent fought back.

But the second seed erased his deficit 4-all and took a 5-4 lead after winning 12 of the previous 14 points.

Alcaraz clinched victory with a second break of Shelton three games later, sending a stretch volley down the line for a match-winner.

“Finally I got my level here and found the right path,” he said. “I’m proud of myself and my team, who are always pushing me forward.

“Today was one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced here. I’m happy I found a way to play my game.

“This one will be really special.”

Alcaraz and Shelton now head to Turin for the start of the eight-man ATP Finals in a week in northern Italy.

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz lifts Rolex Paris Masters trophy – his 9th Masters – by ISF Ltd