Stefanos Tsitsipas has reached his 20th ATP final and fifth at Masters 1000 level. The Greek defeated Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in two hours and 28 minutes for his first title fight in Rome, meeting either Novak Djokovic or Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final.
This made Tsitsipas the fourth active player after Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic with the final in all three clay court Masters 1000 events. Stefanos defeated Alexander for the eighth time in 12 games, dropping the opener but controlling the pace after that to remain on the title course.
Tsitsipas played better behind the second serve, fending off two of three break points to keep the pressure on the other side. Struggling on the second serve, Alexander suffered three breaks from five chances offered to his opponent.
As so often before, the German didn’t know what to do in the final phase of the match.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has reached his first Rome Masters final
He couldn’t put his punches through and made too many mistakes to put through the rival.
Both players had more unforced errors than winners and Stefanos built the advantage in the shortest and longer rallies to emerge at the front. There wasn’t much separating them in the opening games and they tied the match 3-3 after 34 minutes.
Zverev grabbed a break in game seven after a lucky net returned to put him 4-3 ahead. The German confirmed the lead with an ace in the next game, completing the first set after a service winner to make it 6-4 in 50 minutes.
Tsitsipas got his first break in the second game of the second set after two double mistakes by Zverev and defended two break balls in the next game to make it 3-0. Alexander struggled more on serve in game six, but he survived them to stay within a break deficit.
Tsitsipas served well and held in the ninth game for a 6-3 and momentum going into the decider. Both players served well in the first four games of the final set to level the set at 2-2.
Alexander netted a forehand in game five to suffer a break and find himself 3-2 down. Stefanos won the next game with a tricky drop shot, moving closer to the finish line.
The Greek won game eight to open a 5-3 gap and force the rival to serve to stay in the game. Zverev lost ground and was broken in the ninth game after a loose backhand to propel Tsitsipas into the title match.
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