The Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas showed excellent clay court quality to Russian rival Daniil Medvedev to reach the semi-final of the French Open.
Medvedev chose to serve an armpit in the game to the extent that Tsitsipas called it a “millennial punch.” Setting it up to solidify a 6-3 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 victory.
The final was a beautiful, deep mud hike. And Tsitsipas reached his third consecutive Grand Slam semi-final.
Tsitsipas, 22, is facing sixth-seeded German Alexander Zverev in the last four meetings.
Zverev reached the final for the first time, a four-way 6-4 6-1 6-1 win over Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokin. Which he then said was hindered by injuries back then.
Like Tsitsipas, Zverev is also aiming to win his first Grand Slam to lift the title in Paris on Sunday.
“It’s very nice to be in the semi-finals. But only because it made me happy,” said 24-year-old Zverev.
“I have played the match pretty well. And I hope I can play the same way. And even better in the semi-finals.”
Tsitsipas keeps his cool for the rare final victory over Medvedev.
After Zverev’s victory, attention quickly shifted to the highly anticipated late-night match between Tsitsipas and Medvedev.
And their contrasting personalities on and off the court adding to the growing rivalry.
An action-packed match filled with great throws that are actively rallying and quick swings. Since the official made that Tsitsipas to secure victory. That ensured the pair delivered a compelling contest.
The second seed Medvedev, 25, had already won six of their seven previous meetings. But he has never felt as comfortable being on the surface as his opponent.
Tsitsipas has won three of his seven of their Red earth ATP singles titles. This year, along with Monte Carlo and Lyon, Medvedev had not won a match at Roland Garros.
The Greek looked like a quick start choke should have taken place the opening set he won with a minimum of fuss.
Another break at the beginning of the second approach, adding seemingly Tsitsipas on the command line, only the Russian, shifting momentum. But, of course, one might say at any of the levels and then tee her two points at 5-4.
Medvedev managed to get a look at the second surface of the first.
Medvedev managed to get a look at the second surface of the first. But hit a weak left-net shot, then pushed a forehand wide. And the chances were lost.
After Tsitsipas had dominated the tie-break for a two-set lead on, Medvedev rallied in the third.
By breaking for the 3-2 advantage just before the Greek had fought back again.
Frustration boiled over, and they began to drift away from Medvedev. Finally, he stated to the referee at 5-4 that “If I lose the game, it’s all my fault.”
After arguing about the unblinking tables, the Russians feel that he should have been given the first delivery.
However, he could only blame himself when it exploded a 40-0 lead gave the game’s finale.
First, allowing the Greek to secure the win in a backhand. And then he couldn’t appreciate an underarm delivery and a volley.
“This is the most important match. I’m trying to make sure mentally, psychologically. I gave up.
“I could easily give up. And think that it’s a tie-break. But I was stuck there, ” said Tsitsipas, who lost only one set in the tournament.
How is Medvedev’s ‘tactic’ on the final point backfired?
Medvedev said he decided to go for the underarm serve. And it should be that it was not a “mistake.” On the contrary, it was something that he “dared” to do so.
He had been approached to the net just focused on finishing the point with a volley. But Tsitsipas read it quickly and pushed past him.
“I was busy thinking about it even during the entire game period. But, like it was, to the point that I had to do it. Because I believe that he was back a long time ago, in a court. So that it always will work,” the Russian said.
“But I don’t have a chance. And I knew that he was on top of me. So I thought it would be a great choice to bring him in for a pleasant surprise.
“But it didn’t work out that way. He had had an easy ball to the end of the game. And he is made it. But then again, as I said, it was for tactical reasons.”
“Maybe next time, I don’t do those same tactics after knowing that he has read it.”
Zverev is still looking to improve after a one-sided win.
Zverev has for a long time been touted as a future Grand Slam champion. Finally, he is the closest to achieving this. However, he lost a game to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final after two sets.
With Tsitsipas, to get him to stop. Then, to reach the grand final, the prospect of world number one Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s flagship product. It has been a rough road ahead of him in the home.
Those opponents are more likely to provide many more problems than 46th-ranked Davidovich Fokina. The player, who produced an error-strewn performance.
After that, the 22-year-old told Spanish reporters about the back injury. That had left him out of his socks in the morning of the match.
No man can locate a smooth, low-quality opening set, and both of them struggled at the plate.
The pair landed in less than 45 percent of their first serves.
The pair landed in less than 45 percent of their first serves. And has been divided into seven divisions, with the device biased in favor of Zverev. And his opponent is worn out and gave it back in the 10th game.
After splitting the first two games. Zverev won the next seven games in a two-set lead and a break lead in the third.
Confidence has been drained by the Spanish, who appeared to be struggling physically as well as mentally. However, Zverev continued to be relentless.
Heavy and precise, hitting from the back of the court that put him in a position to win it.
And it turned out to be that of the last four games. With the landing of a perfect backhand winner to claim the victory in one hour and 36 minutes.
“After the first set, I think, is that my baseline is a game a lot better. And I have begun to dominate the points are a lot more out of it,” said Zverev.
“Initially, I didn’t believe that I was so good at it. But, I can make a much better.”
