ATP Finals 2020: Tsitsipas beats Rublev, Thiem with it in the semi-finals
Stefanos Tsitsipas preserved his chance of a place in the semifinals at the ATP Finals in London. The Greek defeated Andrey Rublev 6: 1, 4: 6 and 7: 6 (6). Dominic Thiem is already safely in the semifinals.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Nov 17, 2020, 11:08 pm
The first sentence wasn't even 20 minutes old - and that's history again. Because Stefanos Tsitsipas gave Andrey Rublev no chance at all and easily won 6: 1. After that, however, the Russian caught himself, especially with the serve with which he also managed the tricky situations in round two. Rublev used a weak game from Tsitsipas to equalize the set.
Also in the third set it was initially Tsitsipas who worked out the better chances in the third duel with Rublev within a few weeks. But it could not capitalize on it - because Rublevs Service remained a bank in the critical phases. With a score of 6: 5 for Rublev, Tsitispas had to catch up with 0:30, the Greek did so with four good serves in a row.
Tsitsipas quickly led with 2.0, Rublev equalized powerfully. Again the defending champion presented, at 4: 2 the sides were changed. Rublev, however, did not give up, leveled to 5: 5. And after a fantastic rally and the second mini break in a row, he got the first match point. But then Rublev showed nerves - and made a double mistake. Tsitsipas could not be asked twice now, won the last two points of the match.
In the first individual match of the day Dominic Thiem asserted himself in a high-class exchange of blows against Rafael Nadal with 7: 6 (7) and 7: 6 (3). The Austrian has already secured his place in the semifinals on Saturday after the victory of Tsitsipas.
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