Semi final:
Alexander Zverev (6) (Germany) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) (Greece)
In their previous contests, Tsitsipas led 5-2, but Zverev won the most recent, in Acapulco earlier this year. The only clay court battle between them was in Madrid 2019, where Tsitsipas won in three sets.
In this match, Tsitsipas broke the first German serve to lead 2-0, and consolidated for an early 3-0 advantage.
Zverev was on the board for the first time after some big forehands hit the mark.
Variety in stroke play including slice, already was troubling Zverev, and Tsitsipas strolled to 4-1.
A Zverev love game, sealed with an ace, and he trailed 2-4. A drop shot / lob combo from Tsitsipas was negated by a failed forehand, but he outlasted Zverev in the final rally of game seven to lead 5-2.
An ace followed a forehand winner in the next Zverev service game, and despite a double fault, he forced Tsitsipas to serve for the set.
Tsitsipas netted a backhand for 15-15. A repeat offence and 30-30. A wide cutting serve produced an error and set point. A bad Greek forehand took it to deuce. A second set point arrived after another return error. It was converted when Zverev missed with a backhand. 6-3 Tsitsipas.
Set two opened with Zverev hitting a forehand cross court winner for 30-0. An ace and a second forehand winner finished a love game.
Three Tsitsipas forehand errors in the next game, and Zverev had break point. Another error and Zverev led 2-0.
Zverev was taken to deuce before consolidating the break with a service winner and lucky net cord.
At 3-1, Zverev let a 30-0 lead slip, and had to save a break point. He couldn’t save a second though and it was back on serve after a poor backhand, Zverev ahead 3-2.
Tsitsipas found a backhand winner after a quality rally for 30-0, and he eventually levelled at 3-3.
Zverev was down 0-30, missing a forehand and then receiving a brilliant forehand volley winner from Tsitsipas. A Greek backhand winner and two break points. One was saved with a Zverev winner, but on the second the German forehand failed. Tsitsipas 4-3.
Tsitsipas consolidated the break, leaving Zverev to serve to stay in the set.
Errors from each and 30-30. Great defence from Tsitsipas and a backhand mistake from Zverev led to set point. Saved. A netted Zverev backhand produced a second set point. A very wide Zverev forehand gave Tsitsipas the set. The fifth seed won the last six games of the set to lead 6-3 6-3.
Tsitsipas began set three with an overhead winner. He held serve, as did Zverev, although the latter had to survive a time in deuce 1-1.
At 30-15, Tsitsipas missed two forehands, giving Zverev a break chance. A third forehand mistake and Zverev led 2-1 with a break.
Consolidation followed, Zverev displaying all court tennis in the process.
At 3-2, Zverev double faulted, then was passed by a Tsitsipas backhand down the line. 0-30. Tsitsipas missed a golden opportunity for 0-40, and another forehand stuff up allowed Zverev to reach 30-30. Break point arrived when Zverev was in a mess at the net. A big serve saved him. A backhand winner down the line then presented Zverev a game point which was used to his benefit. 4-2.
Serving at 3-5 to stay in the set, Tsitsipas missed a backhand for 15-15. A brilliant Zverev lob winner 30-30. Tsitsipas held for 4-5, asking Zverev to serve for the set.
An ace was the perfect start. Zverev almost missed an overhead, but off the frame he won the point. Backhand winner at the net brought Zverev three set points. A Tsitsipas error and Zverev won the set 6-4.
Set four started with a Tsitsipas double fault. A Zverev backhand winner and 30-30. A Tsitsipas drop shot set up the winning backhand pass, but a shanked forehand brought it to deuce. A Zverev forehand winner and break point. The break came after a netted Greek forehand.
Three love games in a row and Zverev ahead 3-1. Tsitsipas held for the loss of just one point and trailed 2-3.
At 30-0 Zverev threw in some errors, but he managed to capitalise on opponent errors to hold for 4-2.
At 4-3, Zverev employed his big serve consistently and it worked as another love game was registered.
Serving to stay in the set, Tsitsipas donated two unforced errors. 0-30. Solid serving extracted him from the sticky situation and he held for 4-5.
Zverev, serving for the set, netted a backhand, then finished a wonderful rally with a delightful drop shot winner. A drop shot / lob combo gave Zverev two set points. One disappeared with a German error. The second chance was the charm, Tsitsipas missing a return. Zverev won the set 6-4, and a fifth set was required.
Tsitsipas missed a backhand in the decider and then Zverev put away a smash. 0-30 in the opening game. Double fault and three break points. Two saved with netted Zverev backhands. Third saved as well. Forehand cross court winner from Tsitsipas and game point. Significant service hold and 1-0 for the fifth seed.
Backhand winner from Zverev. 30-0. Ace for 40-0. Tsitsipas made it to 40-30, but Zverev was calm enough to level at 1-1.
Two winners and an ace helped Tsitsipas race to a 2-1 lead.
A Zverev double fault and two errors gave Tsitsipas a break point. Another unforced error and Tsitsipas increased his advantage to 3-1.
A Tsitsipas mishit and 15-30. Two unforced Zverev errors and game point. Ace for Tsitsipas to lead 4-1.
At 4-2, Tsitsipas received a trio of Zverev errors, forced and unforced, to lead 40-0. A Zverev winner wasn’t enough to halt the Tsitsipas train which was running at 5-2, only one station away from the final.
Serving to stay in the match, Zverev netted a backhand then missed a forehand to be vulnerable at 15-30. A poor German backhand and Tsitsipas had two match points.
A big serve saved one. A tremendous drop shot saved the other. Another netted Zverev backhand produced a third match point. An ace saved that. A forehand sent wide due to a net cord gave Tsitsipas a fourth match point which was also saved. Zverev eventually held for 3-5.
Tsitsipas served for the match. He missed with an off forehand. The Tsitsipas backhand forced an error. A Zverev lob sailed long. 30-15. A Zverev forehand missed the court and Tsitsipas had two more match points. He only needed one as an ace finished the battle.
Stefanos Tsitsipas won 6-3 6-3 4-6 4-6 6-3.
Tsitsipas through to his first Grand Slam tournament final.
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