In a repeat of September’s US Open final, home favourite Sinner delighted a raucous crowd with a 6-4, 6-4 victory in the best match of the tournament so far.

American world No 5 Fritz went toe-to-toe with Sinner throughout a contest ultimately decided by slender margins with one break of serve in each set.

Sinner made the decisive break in the opening set when Fritz served at 4-5, bringing up a set point with a disguised drop shot and then converting at the first opportunity.

Fritz refused to go away in the second set but cracked under pressure as he served to stay in the match.

Earlier in the Ilie Nastase Group, Russian Daniil Medvedev earned his first win of the week as he beat Australia’s Alex de Minaur to keep himself in contention for a semifinal spot.