Shanghai Flashback: Stefanos Tsitsipas dethrones Novak Djokovic in style

Some two and a half hours after securing the place at the ATP Finals for the first time last year, Stefanos Tsitsipas dethroned the Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and two minutes. Stefanos advanced to his fourth Masters 1000 semi-final, playing on a high level since the middle of the opening set and taking 820 points out of Novak's tally in the year-end no. 1 battle with Rafael Nadal. It was the second victory for Tsitsipas over Djokovic in three matches, earning it after facing only one break point and controlling the pace in sets two and three to leave the world's leading player behind in one of the best matches of the season in terms of quality. The Greek fired 34 winners and 22 unforced errors while the Serb stood on a 28-26 ratio, taking just two points less than his younger opponent but not doing enough to cross the finish line first or take at least a set.

Stefanos had the advantage in the shortest and mid-range exchanges, going for his shots and matching Novak's performance to emerge at the top and set the semi-final clash against Daniil Medvedev. Both players lost only six points behind the initial stroke in the first set, with Novak earning a break in game two when Stefanos sprayed a backhand error, opening a 3-0 advantage in seven minutes! That would be the only break chance that Stefanos offered to him in the entire encounter, wasting his opportunity in game seven and preparing everything for the second set after Djokovic claimed the first with a service winner at 5-3.

A year ago, Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Novak Djokovic in Shanghai quarter-final.

The Greek lost nine points in six service games in set number two, taming his shots nicely and keeping the pressure on Novak. The Serb kicked off the set with two comfortable holds before facing troubles at 2-3, fending off two break points and closing the game with a service winner.

Serving in game 12, Novak squandered three game points and got broken when his forehand landed long, handing the set to Tsitsipas and sending momentum to the other side of the court. Like in set number two, Novak stayed away from break chances in the decider, unable to produce six holds and reach a tie break. Stefanos broke him in the fourth game when Novak sprayed a forehand error, holding at 15 in the next one to confirm the lead and take a big step towards the finish line. Serving at 4-2, the Greek produced another fine hold, showing no sign of nerves and sealing the deal with a smash winner at 5-3 for one of the biggest wins in a career. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2TNJcyu