ATP Hamburg: Stefanos Tsitsipas edges Cristian Garin to set Andrey Rublev clash

Following early exits at the US Open and Rome, world no. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas is back on the winning way in Hamburg. The 22-year-old Greek is through to the 12th ATP final in a career and third of the season, beating Cristian Garin 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in two hours and 15 minutes. It was their first clash and a high-quality one, with many nice winners on both sides and an entertaining battle from start to finish. Stefanos won six points more than Cristian, hitting 36 winners and 28 unforced errors in comparison to Garin's 30 winners and 30 errors. Suffering two breaks in set number two, Tsitsipas restored the order in the decider, serving well and moving over the top with a single break. Stefanos fired 12 aces, delivering more efficient numbers behind the second serve and suffering two breaks. Exploiting the rival's second serve, the Greek broke the Chilean thrice, including a single break in the decider that carried him over the top.

Stefanos landed a backhand winner for a hold at love in the opening game, fired an ace in the third game and experienced first troubles on serve at 2-2. The Greek saved a break point with a service winner, closed the game with a forehand winner and remained in front. Garin hit a double fault to get broken in game six, falling 4-2 down and allowing Stafanos to cement the break with a service winner that sent him 5-2 ahead. Returning at 3-5, Cristian grabbed a late break to overcome the deficit and extend the set, holding with a volley winner in game ten for 5-5. From 30-15 down in the 11th game, Stefanos won three quick points on serve, ending his downfall and wrapping up the set with a beautiful backhand down the line winner on the return for 7-5 after 54 minutes. Garin raised his level in set number two, producing four comfortable holds and challenging Tsitsipas to repeat that.

Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to his 12th ATP final. 

The Greek couldn't follow those numbers, getting broken in the third game when Cristian landed a return winner and losing the set following another break at 3-5. With no room for errors, Stefanos bounced back in a manner of a true champion, dropping four points behind the initial shot and waiting for an opportunity on the return patiently. Garin was there to fight in the opening four games before hitting a costly double fault that pushed his rival 3-2 ahead. Tsitsipas cemented the break with a break at 15, delivered a similar one at 4-3 and sealing the deal with a volley winner in game ten that sent him towards the top and a clash against Andrey Rublev on Sunday. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/30aAFJE