Hello and welcome to the highlights of the first men's semifinal between Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2021 Roland Garros.
MATCH REPORT:Tsitsipas beats Zverev in five sets to reach final
What a match we have had! Tsitsipas was off the blocks as he claimed the first two sets, second in dramatic fashion by winning six straight games.
Then came the comeback. Zverev pulled out his best tennis, serving immaculately and getting crucial service breaks to win the third and fourth sets.
In the fifth set, it was the Greek who got the vital service break in the fourth game to go 3-1 up. Zverev once again upped his service game, but was always behind the eight-ball after the early break of serve and at 5-3, Tsitsipas served out the match and booked his place in the final.
While Tsitsipas came out triumphant, credit must go to Zverev as well, to keep coming back and staying alive till the end.
That is all we have from the first semifinal. The second semifinal between the two titans- Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal- is just around the corner. Who will face Tsitsipas in the final on Sunday? We shall find out soon. For now, it is goodbye and stay safe!
Tsitsipas: " My dream was to play here, to play at the French Open. It was nerve-wracking. Fifth set first game was the most important. The crowd gave me the energy. I still felt I had the opportunity to fight back. It was difficult, emotional, this win is the most important win of my career so far. A lot of people were raising flags, it was important for me to help them. I am very happy that Greece is part of the tennis commnity. Me and Maria (Sakkari) have been keeping the hopes alive,"
Final score: Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3
HE HAS DONE IT! STEFANOS TSITSIPAS BOOKS HIS PLACE IN HIS FIRST EVER GRAND SLAM FINAL!
A DOUBLE MATCH POINT FOR TSITSIPAS!
Zverev 3-5 Tsitsipas: Tsitsipas will serve for a place in the final, but take a bow Alexander Zverev! He saved four match points to keep this match alive. But he must break now to keep it going.
Superb serving from Zverev as he rests back the advantage. What a game this is proving to be.
A forehand error from Zverev as the ball strikes the net and goes out of play. DEUCE.
Tsitsipas errs and for the first time, Zverev has the advantage on serve.
SAVED! And guess what! Zverev's serve has saved him again. Third deuce.
Zverev puts in wide and Tsitsipas has yet another chance to close this match.
SAVED! A thunderous ace from Zverev. Back to Deuce.
Zverev errs on the backhand and it is a third MATCH POINT for the Greek.
AND ZVEREV HAS SAVED THE OTHER ONE AS WELL WITH A DROP SHOT WINNER! DEUCE!
ZVEREV SAVES ONE! 30-40
A DOUBLE MATCH POINT FOR TSITSIPAS!
Zverev 2-5 Tsitsipas: Tsitisipas holds serve to inch closer to booking his spot in the final. Zverev has to hold serve to keep any hopes live, but from all angles, it does look like a lost cause for him. However, stranger things have happened in sport.
Zverev 2-4 Tsitsipas: Fantastic serving from Zverev sees him hold and stay in contention in this fifth set.
Zverev 1-4 Tsitsipas: The Greek god has risen from the ashes. Tsitsipas is oozing confidence now. A tall order in front of the German to mount a comeback. You won't bet against him to do it, but he is certainly on the backfoot here.
Zverev 1-3 Tsitsipas: TSITSIPAS GETS THE BREAK! An unusual game full of errors from Zverev, hands a crucial advantage to the Greek. NOW! NOW!
Zverev 1-2 Tsitsipas: Terrific serving from Tsitsipas, as he holds to love and moves in front.
One can't help but feel that the first break of serve could have a colossal impact on who goes through, from here.
Zverev 1-1 Tsitsipas: The German wins his opening service game in this decider.
Zverev 0-1 Tsitsipas: From almost being broken to love, Tsitsipas rallies himself to win five points on the trot and claim the opening game in this fifth set.
FIFTH SET! Tsitsipas to serve
Zverev has breathed fire since losing the first two sets. He has been terrific on serve and in the fourth set, breaking the Tsitsipas serve in the first game proved crucial for him.
Tsitsipas has opted for a time-out and has gone inside the changing rooms to recharge a bit. He has a huge fifth set coming up, as does Zverev. This semifinal is going right down to the wire.
Zverev 6-4 Tsitsipas: WHAT A COMEBACK THIS IS PROVING TO BE! Zverev holds serve and wins the fourth set 6-4 to take this match into a deciding fifth set.
Zverev 5-4 Tsitsipas: Tsitsipas wins four straight points on the trot to hold serve. But Zverev will now serve to win this fourth set.
Zverev 5-3 Tsitsipas: Yet another impressive service hold from Zverev and he is one game away from making it two sets apiece.
A crucial, crucial game coming up.
Zverev 4 -3 Tsitsipas: The Greek holds serve to love yet again to stay in contention of turning this set around.
Zverev 4-2 Tsitsipas: Zverev holds, even as Tsitisipas shows signs of promise in that game. The German firm favourite to win this set and take this match all the way, at this stage.
Zverev 3-2 Tsitsipas: Both players looking comfortable on serve here as Tsitsipas wins the fifth game, on serve. But Zverev, with that break of serve in the first game, just has the edge in this set so far.
Zverev 3-1 Tsitsipas: An excellent combination of points from Zverev gives him another service hold to love. He really is in control of proceedings, here.
Zverev 2-1 Tsitsipas: Tsitsipas returns the compliment by winning his service game to love and is off and running in this fourth set.
Zverev 2-0 Tsitsipas: Another impressive service game from Zverev as he holds to love and takes a 2-0 lead in this fourth set.
Zverev 1-0 Tsitsipas: Zverev gets the break in the first game of the fourth set and has all the momentum in his favour right now.
FOURTH SET! Tsitsipas to serve.
That was a lot better run of games from the German and one can say he deserved to win that set. Tsitsipas will want to cut down the errors in this fourth set.
Zverev 6-4 Tsitsipas: Zverev wins the service game to love and with that also wins third set.
Zverev 5-4 Tsitispas: The Greek holds serve, but that was a really fiery game. Zverev can close the set in this game.
An absolutely fierce verbal confrontation between Zverev and the referee as he challenges a call from a down the line forehand from Tsitsipas, which was called in.
Zverev 5-3 Tsitsipas: Some fierce serving from the German helps him rescue his position from 0-30 down to clinching the game and inch further towards winning this third set.
An extremely important eighth game coming up.
Zverev 4-3 Tsitsipas: Tsitisipas holds in the seventh game, but it is still Zverev who holds the upper hand in this set.
Zverev 4-2 Tsitsipas: Three extremely odd misses, on either side of the court, from Tsitsipas and some fine attacking play from Zverev further strengthens his position in this third set.
Zverev 3-2 Tsitsipas: The Greek puts in some fine serves to hold, but Zverev leads 3-2.
Zverev 3-1 Tsitsipas: Shift in momentum yet again as Zverev gets yet another service hold in this third set.
Zverev 2-1 Tsitsipas: Zverev gets the early break as Tsitsipas puts a forehand wide. Can the German make the most of this opportunity?
Zverev 1-1 Tsitsipas: Zverev holds and wins his first game after seven straight ones.
Zverev 0-1 Tsitsipas: To say Tsitsipas is currently high on confidence would be an understatement as he wins the opening game in this third set, with a passing forehand winner, down the line.
THIRD SET!
Where does one begin to explain that set? Zverev looked like he was motoring toward winning the set, but a break of serve in the fifth game for Tsitsipas, proved absolutely pivotal as the Greek gained the momentum and romped to win six straight games and convert a 0-3 deficit to 6-3 set win in his favour.
Zverev 3-6 Tsitsipas: WHAT A TURNAROUND! After being 0-3 down, Tsitsipas has won six straight games and clinched this second set 6-3. The German has a mountain to climb in this match, from here.
Zverev 3-5 Tsitsipas: The Greek holds and is back in the driver's seat in this match. One game away from taking a two set lead in this semifinal.
Zverev 3-4 Tsitsipas: Tsitispas alternating between attack and defense magnificently in that game and breaks the Zverev serve yet again to go top in this second set. The German with some work to do to prevent himself from going down by two sets.
Zverev 3-3 Tsitsipas: Tsitsipas holds to level the score in this second set, meaning we are back on serve.
This match has moved at a frenetic pace. We are only entering into the second hour and already 14 games has been played between these two.
Zverev 3-2 Tsitsipas: An error-prone service game from Zverev gives Tsitsipas a crucial break of serve in the second set. How pivotal could that prove to be.
Zverev 3-1 Tsitsipas: Finally, the Greek gets off the mark in this second set with a relatively comfortable service hold.
Zverev 3-0 Tsitsipas: The momentum has most certainly shifted and it is right now with Zverev, who goes 3-0 up in this second set.
Zverev 2-0 Tsitsipas : Like Tsitsipas did in the second game of the first set, Zverev breaks the Tsitsipas serve in the second game of the second set.
Zverev 1-0 Tsitsipas: Some strong serving from Zverev gets him off the mark first in this second set.
SECOND SET!
The Greek got off the blocks swiftly, breaking the Zverev serve in as early as the second game. Since then, Zverev was always playing catch-up and Tsitisipas eventually sealed the set in the ninth game.
Zverev 3-6 Tsitsipas: A error on the backhand from Zverev hands Tsitsipas the first set in this semifinal.
SET POINT FOR TSITSIPAS!
Zverev 3-5 Tsitsipas: The German wins his service game yet again, but Tsitsipas will now serve to clinch the opening set in this semifinal.
Zverev 2-5 Tsitsipas: Tsitsipas continues to have the upper hand and is just one game away from taking this first set. Some fine backhand play from both players in that game and Tsitsipas clinched the game as Zverev put a backhand wide.
Zverev 2-4 Tsitisipas: Zverev returns the compliment and holds Tstisipas to love with some fine serving.
Zverev 1-4 Tsitsipas: Tsitsipas holds to love and strengthens his chances further of winning this first set.
Zverev 1-3 Tsitsipas: Zverev is off the mark in this match with a win off his serve.
Zverev 0-3 Tsitsipas: Tsitsipas is off the blocks and in impressive fashion in this first set, as he wins his second service game of this set.
Zverev 0-2 Tsitisipas: The Greek fifth seed gets the early break in this opening set as Zverev hits long, in the final point of that game.
Zverev 0-1 Tsitsipas: The Greek takes the opening game of this first set.
HERE WE GO!
TOSS update: Tsitisipas called heads, the coin fell tails and Zverev has opted to receive.
Both players walking out to Court Philippe-Chatrier. Zverev out first, followed by Tsitsipas.
10 MINUTES TO GO FOR THE START OF THIS MATCH!
Which two players will fight to lift the Musketeer's Cup on Sunday? Vote in the poll below:
The winner of this match will take on the winner of the second semifinal, which will be played later in the evening between top seed Novak Djokovic and third seed and reigning champion Rafael Nadal.
WHAT BOTH SAID
ZVEREV: "Obviously, the Grand Slams are the tournaments that we want to win the most.Before, maybe, the last few years, I was putting too much pressure on myself. ... Before Medvedev and Tsitsipas arrived, I was seen as this guy that was going to all of a sudden take over the tennis world,"
TSITSIPAS: “I feel privileged that I’m in that position, and I feel obviously I’ve put in a lot of daily hard work (that) has been a key element of me being here. But, you know, my ego tells me I want more.”
The two players have faced one another seven times in the past. Tsitsipas leads the head-to-head 5-2. Zverev, though, won the last encounter in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 at the 2021 Acapulco Open final.
Zverev and Tsitsipas have played only once before on clay and that happened at the 2019 Madrid Masters, where in the quarterfinal stage, the Greek won in three sets 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.
Tsitsipas, on the other hand, faced up to second seed Daniil Medvedev and delivered the goods in a night-session quarterfinal.
Read more about his win here: Tsitsipas beats Medvedev, will face Zverev in French Open semifinals
Among all four semifinalists, it was Zverev, who perhaps had the easiest route to the last four stage of the competition.
Here is how he made it to the semifinal: Zverev storms into maiden French Open semifinals in straight sets
As the two European youngsters men get set to battle, here's a look as to how both men made it to the semifinal stage
ALEXANDER ZVEREV
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS
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