Greek tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas deflected German Alexander Zverev’s retaliation by winning 6-3 6-3 4-6 4-6 6-3 in the French Open on Friday and reaching the final of Roland Garros, where he will play against the winner of the pair Novak Djokovic – Rafael Nadal.
Tsitsipas got an early break in the first set, helped by Zverev’s two double faults, and the Greek remained firm against the German tennis player’s heavy ground punches to maintain his narrow lead on Philippe Shatrie’s sun-drenched court.
The US Open finalist led 3-0 early in the second set, but Tsitsipas showed exemplary athleticism and strong defense to win the next six games, leaving Zverev bewildered.
Zverev, however, regrouped and added more power to his shots with early breaks in the third and fourth sets, enough to level the match with two sets each.
Tsitsipas needed to change his game in the decisive match, and the 22-year-old managed to find the strength to consolidate the victory in his fifth match point.
🇬🇷PEAK GREEK🇬🇷
In his fourth major semi, @steftsitsipas becomes the first Greek player to reach a Grand Slam singles final with a 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Alexander Zverev. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/C33m9eHdH3
– Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2021
Stefanos Tsitsipas said: “Now I can only think about my roots. I was born in a small place near Athens, I have always dreamed of playing here, someday performing at this stage of Roland Garros. I never thought that I could … I fought back, survived, the fans were for me, they supported me, filled me with energy. I still felt that there was hope, that there were opportunities. When you are treated like that, you just have to go out and fight. This is what I did. It was very difficult, very emotional – I went through a lot of emotional breakdowns. And this victory means a lot to me, so far it is the most important in my career, ”Tsitsipas said after the match.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, 22, became the youngest Grand Slam finalist since 2010, when Andy Murray competed in the Australian Open final. Tsitsipas is also the youngest finalist in Paris since 2008.
The Greek tennis player will play in the Grand Slam final for the first time in his career. Previously, Tsitsipas lost in three semifinals at the Majors, including last year at Roland Garros to Novak Djokovic. Stefanos is the first representative of Greece in the Grand Slam finals. The Greek now has 39 wins this season (the best in the Tour this year) and 22 wins on clay (also the best of the season).
Reaching the final of the French Open will allow Stefanos Tsitsipas to set a personal record in the ATP ranking and move up to fourth place. Winning the final will secure him third place.
24-year-old Alexander Zverev fought for his second final at the Grand Slam tournaments (US Open-2020). The German has never played in the semi-finals at Roland Garros before. For the opponents, it was the first face-to-face match at the Majors. Tsitsipas increased his lead in the statistics of their meetings: 6-2.
Stefanos Tsitsipas rival in the final of Roland Garros will be determined in the fight 22-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas became the youngest finalist of the Grand Slam tournament since 2010, when Andy Murray played in the Australian Open final. Tsitsipas is also the youngest finalist in Paris since 2008.
The Greek tennis player will play in the Grand Slam final for the first time in his career. Previously, Tsitsipas lost in three semifinals at the Majors, including last year at Roland Garros to Novak Djokovic. Stefanos is the first representative of Greece in the Grand Slam finals. The Greek now has 39 wins this season (the best in the Tour this year) and 22 wins on clay (also the best of the season).
Reaching the final of the French Open will allow Stefanos Tsitsipas to set a personal record in the ATP ranking and move up to fourth place. Winning the final will secure him third place.
24-year-old Alexander Zverev fought for his second final at the Grand Slam tournaments (US Open-2020). The German has never played in the semi-finals at Roland Garros before. For the opponents, it was the first face-to-face match at the Majors. Tsitsipas increased his lead in the statistics of their meetings: 6-2.
The rival of Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of Roland Garros will be determined in a duel between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
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