Former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas is into his first final in 18 months, but standing in his way at the Swiss Open is an in-form Raphael Collignon.
(7) Raphael Collignon vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Neither guy got here the easy way. Stefanos Tsitsipas needed deciding sets against Jerome Kym and Arthur Rinderknech before grinding out a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over Alexander Shevchenko in the semis. He also came into the week having dropped to No. 85 in the world, his lowest ranking in seven years.
Raphael Collignon’s route was even wilder. He was teetering on the brink of elimination against Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the semis. He got in a deep hole in both the second and third sets, saved a match point in the second, and eventually reeled off five straight games in the third to close it out 7-5 to reach his first ATP final.
That’s two guys who have spent all week finding ways to survive rather than dominate, and I think that matters heading into a final where legs and nerves both get tested.
The thing about Tsitsipas on clay, even factoring in this abysmal year that he has endured, is that he is still riding a 73 percent career win rate on the surface. Three Monte-Carlo titles and a Roland Garros final tell you the ceiling is real when his body cooperates. And I’ve seen a glimmer of the old Tsitsipas this week.
Collignon isn’t going to be easy. He’s 24, just cracked a new career-high ranking of No. 42, and is 7-1 this season against players outside the top 50. His win over Ben Shelton at Roland Garros shows he’s not just feasting on lesser competition, either. But he has also never played a tour-level final before, so the pressure will be on.
I think experience and clay pedigree carry Tsitsipas here, but I don’t expect it to be comfortable given how gassed both players are after the week through which they have battled. Look for Collignon to make him work for every point before Tsitsipas closes it out.
Cheryl pick: Tsitsipas in 3
Ricky pick: Collingon in 3
WWW?
This would be a cracking match to watch live. Enjoy, Cheryl!
Hmm. Collignon has been digging himself out of holes and developing his sprint finish all week. I’ve never seen him overestimate himself and come crashing down psychologically as a result, so that’s where I think his edge is over Tsitsipas. Mentally stronger and on the up, as opposed to former Top 10 trying to rediscover his best level. He beat de Minaur one-legged, he can beat Tsitsipas. Unless he gets out of the wrong side of the bed or something.
2 ez 4 tsitsi