Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to book his first finals berth at the Italian Open.
Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Germany's Alexander Zverev in yet another gripping chapter in their clay-court 2022 rivalry at the Italian Open. The fourth seed ran out a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory in the semi-finals in Rome.
In the third clay-court ATP Masters 1000 semi-final between the two this year, Tsitsipas made a comeback after losing a hard-fought opening set to reach the final of the Rome Masters for the first time in his career.
Rivalry dominance: REAFFIRMED 🇬🇷 outlasts Zverev in three sets to reach his maiden Rome final - his fifth at Masters 1000 level - at ! pic.twitter.com/u4BVpYBUwQ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV)The Greek was strong on serve throughout against Zverev and stayed consistent from the baseline to halt Zverev's early momentum in a fascinating two-hour, 29-minute win.
Also read: Italian Open 2022: Djokovic fans anticipate World No.1's 1000th career win in semi-finals
"It's one of the tournaments that has the most history in our sport. You can see walking around the sides... one of the most beautiful stadiums... So there is a lot of history playing in this court. You feel very proud that you've made your way here and are able to participate in such a historically rich event," Tsitsipas said following this win.
'You feel very proud to be able to participate in such a historically rich event' 💞 pic.twitter.com/0bktuGfdAD
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV)The win extends the Greek's ATP Head2Head series lead over the German to 8-4. Tsitsipas will play for a third Masters 1000 title in Sunday's championship match, where his opponent will be World No. 1 Novak Djokovic or fifth seed Casper Ruud.
Tsitsipas fans took to Twitter to express their joy over the Greek's win, with several anticipating a blockbuster clash against Djokovic. Here's a look at some of the reactions:
BREAKING NEW GROUND 🧱 defeats Zverev 4-6 6-3 6-3 to reach the final for the first time in his career! pic.twitter.com/NZnuBls77P
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV)The Greek God into the final! 🇬🇷🔥
Tsitsipas 4-6 6-3 6-3 | | pic.twitter.com/xSK2wrchWa
The emotion.
The heart.
The passion. puts it all on the line to reach his first final in Rome. pic.twitter.com/Gp0jy3fzqJ
Stefanos Tsitsipas has become the first Man ever to win 25 tour-level matches in 2022 in his opening match at the Masters 1000 event in Madrid. Wow! Congratulations! Game on... you'll probably win in Rome.
— Anita (@Anita37993134)👏 defeats Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to reach his first final in Rome! pic.twitter.com/R2jZlRRB73
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros)He's exhausted but still tremendously gorgeous 😍 pic.twitter.com/CJ8srRCQtu
— 💙💛🕊️☮️ (@SUNNY8X)The 3rd set today from Tsitsipas showed his superior match management skills. Refused to miss. Zverev was by far the physically fresher player, given how much easier his path to the SF was. Stefanos dug so deep. He played such a focused, consistent, & highly intelligent 3rd set.
— Vansh (@vanshv2k)Tsitsipas has now defeated Zverev 8/12 times and in 8 different tournaments too (4 Hard, 4 Clay)
Toronto 2018
Madrid 2019
Beijing 2019
ATP Finals 2019
ATP Cup 2020
Roland Garros 2021
Monte Carlo 2022
Rome 2022
Translation: Stefanos Tsitsipas is the first active player to reach the finals of all Masters on clay courts (Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome) after Federer, Nadal and Djokovic!
Let’s goooo 🔥 https://t.co/KGFHNhX4nk