Fritz frustrates Medvedev and the Russian loses his temper at the ATP Finals. Sinner beats De Minaur

TURIN, Italy (AP) — U.S. Open finalist Taylor Fritz frustrated Daniil Medvedev to the point that the Russian smashed his racket and was docked a point in a 6-4, 6-3 victory for the American in the opening match of the ATP Finals on Sunday.

Medvedev received two code violations from the chair umpire for his behavior.

“I get angry, frustrated. This time completely with myself, not with anyone. Just with myself,” Medvedev said.

Later, top-ranked Jannik Sinner delighted his home fans with a 6-3, 6-4 win over finals debutant Alex de Minaur.

The other group starts play on Monday with Carlos Alcaraz facing Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev meeting Andrey Rublev.

The top two finishers from each round-robin group advance to the semifinals.

The first set had been virtually dead even until the final game when Medvedev hit three double-faults to hand the set to Fritz.

Medvedev then went over to his bench in a fit of rage.

Medvedev first slammed his racket against the bench, which resulted in a slight dent. Then he banged the racket again on the hard court inside Inalpi Arena and mangled the frame into a twisty mess — prompting him to toss it behind him.

“I have this every day, day in, day out, since like two, three years. Every practice is a struggle. Every match is a struggle,” Medvedev said. “Now I feel zero pleasure of being on the court.”

Midway through the second set, Medvedev was docked a point after he was broken and lost his cool again.

Medvedev then acted as if he was going to return serve with his racket facing the wrong way — he held it with the butt of the racket and the grip facing Fritz. That drew whistles from the crowd and Medvedev changed the racket position just before Fritz served.

“I was like, ‘Whatever, I lost the match. I don’t care,'” Medvedev said.

Fritz wasn’t bothered by Medvedev’s behavior.

“I was just laughing. I think he’s really funny, to be honest,” Fritz said. “Even when he’s not playing me, he always cracks me up.”

Fritz won long and memorable rallies at the start of each set, one that included 26 shots and another that lasted 30.

“It was huge,” Fritz said. “I kind of just fought through. ... I thought I did a solid job showing him that I wasn’t going to give him a lot of free points.”

It was points like those that left Medvedev demoralized.

“Literally everyone can stay in the rally with me right now,” Medvedev said.

In September at the U.S. Open, Fritz became the first American man to reach a Grand Slam final in 15 years but he lost the championship match to top-ranked Jannik Sinner.

The Californian is appearing at the season-ending event for the year’s top eight players for the second time. Two years ago, Fritz beat Rafael Nadal in his opening match and lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

Fritz will get a rematch with Sinner later in the week. Djokovic withdrew.

Numerous spectators were dressed in orange or wore carrot costumes in honor of Sinner’s symbol vegetable — and his hair color.

Sinner, who lost the final to Djokovic last year, showed no signs of nerves when he opened with an ace on the first point of the match and promptly held at love.

The Italian was broken in his second service game, though. But he responded by winning four straight games to take control as fans chanted “Ole, Ole, Ole, Sin-ner, Sin-ner,” on the changeovers.

Sinner improved to 8-0 in his career against De Minaur.

“His ball speed, in my eyes, is so much higher than basically the rest of the people,” De Minaur said. “It’s very hard to find holes in his game.”

It’s the first time Sinner is playing at home since it was announced before his U.S. Open title that he tested positive in two separate drug tests this year.

A decision to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September. A final ruling in the case is expected early next year.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates after winning the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Australia's Alex de Minaur, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates after winning the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Australia's Alex de Minaur, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Australia's Alex de Minaur returns the ball to Italy's Jannik Sinner during their singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Italy's Jannik Sinner returns the ball to Australia's Alex de Minaur during their singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Australia's Alex de Minaur, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Italy's Jannik Sinner serves the ball to Australia's Alex de Minaur during their singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Russia's Daniil Medvedev reacts during the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against United States' Taylor Fritz, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Daniil Medvedev throws a broken racket during his singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Taylor Fritz, of the United States, at the Pala Alpitour, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)

Russia's Daniil Medvedev reacts during the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against United States' Taylor Fritz, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Russia's Daniil Medvedev reacts during the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against United States' Taylor Fritz, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

United States' Taylor Fritz returns the ball to Russia's Daniil Medvedev during their singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Daniil Medvedev looks on during a break in the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Taylor Fritz, of the United States, at the Pala Alpitour, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)

United States' Taylor Fritz celebrates after winning against Russia's Daniil Medvedev the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Daniil Medvedev throws a broken racket during his singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Taylor Fritz, of the United States, at the Pala Alpitour, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)

ATLANTA (AP) — Duke's young players are still having issues with cramping.

While Cooper Flagg made it to the end of the game Tuesday night against Kentucky, scoring 26 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in a 77-72 loss, another freshman was forced out with the same issue that has plagued Flagg.

Center Khaman Maluach began cramping in the first half and wound up playing only 23 minutes. He finished with 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting, to go along with seven rebounds and two blocks.

“I think we were up nine when Khaman started cramping in the first half,” coach Jon Scheyer said. “I think part of it is we have young bodies. I think that’s part of it, where we’ve got to help these guys. Again, we’re not trying to just dip our toes in the water. We need Cooper to play a lot and Khaman too.”

The 17-year-old Flagg, who has been projected as the possible top pick in next year's NBA draft, had cramping issues in No. 6 Duke's first two games, both victories. That prompted Scheyer to lash out at his staff for not getting his prized recruit in the best possible condition.

That wasn't a problem against No. 19 Kentucky, though Flagg appeared to be struggling physically in the closing minute as he turned the ball over twice, allowing the Wildcats to pull out the victory.

“I wish I could say I didn’t," Flagg said when asked he was fatigued. “I felt it a little bit and tried to fight through it the best I could.”

The Blue Devils also lost a more experienced player, graduate guard Sion James, who fell to the court with an apparent right shoulder injury after running into a screen. He had four points in 13 minutes.

“I don’t know his status,” Scheyer said. “He took a hard hit on that screen, a hard hit. We’ll get him back and get him evaluated and see. Obviously those two guys (James and Maluach) are really important to us.”

The Blue Devils have dealt with cramping issues before. Paolo Banchero had a similar problem early in his lone season at Duke, but he went on to lead the team to the Final Four before becoming the top overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

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Duke Blue guard Sion James (14) scores during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )

Duke Blue guard Sion James leaves the court after being injured during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Kentucky center Amari Williams (22) drives against Duke center Khaman Maluach (9) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )

Duke Blue center Khaman Maluach (9) reacts after a Blue Divila's basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )

Duke guard Cooper Flagg (2) takes a shot as Kentucky forward Brandon Garrison (10) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )

Duke guard Cooper Flagg (2) passes as Kentucky forward Andrew Carr (7) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )