A win by Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday would make for one of the all-time great tournament runs in ATP Tour history.
But after becoming the youngest player in history to beat four top-10 players at a single event, it only gets tougher for the Greek. He has taken out the world No. 8 (Dominic Thiem), the world No. 10 (Novak Djokovic), the world No. 3 (Alexander Zverev), and the world No. 6 (Kevin Anderson). Next up for Tsitsipas in the Rogers Cup final is world No. 1 Rafael Nadal.
And while his first four upsets came as a 19-year-old, a fifth would come as a 20-year-old. Yes, Tsitsipas is celebrating his 20th birthday on Sunday in Toronto.
It has been a perfect birthday week so far. The world No. 27 opened with a defeat of Damir Dzumhur, reeled off victories over Thiem, Djokovic, and Zverev, and then saved three match points to outlast Anderson 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(7) in Saturday’s first semifinal. Tsitsipas is now 30-18 for his breakout 2018 campaign, having previously won only four career main-tour matches going into this season.
“Playing in a Masters 1000 final is the best thing that can happen on your birthday,” Tsitsipas assured. “I couldn’t achieve anything better in one tournament, beating all those high-ranked players (and) playing amazing tennis.”
Additional good news for the underdog is that his second foray into this head-to-head matchup is not coming on clay. Their only previous encounter came this spring in the Barcelona title match, with Nadal rolling 6-2, 6-1.
Still, it’s not like Tsitsipas is catching Nadal at a particularly good time. The Spaniard is 21-1 in his last 22 matches (39-3 overall this year), building on a typically dominant clay-court swing with a fine showing on grass (Wimbledon semifinals) and perfection thus far on summer hard courts. Nadal booked his spot in championship Sunday with victories at the expense of Benoit Paire, Stan Wawrinka, Marin Cilic, and Karen Khachanov, surrendering just one set to Cilic along the way.
Tsitsipas is most likely correct in that he can’t achieve anything better in one tournament. He would with another win on Sunday, but to say that is easier said than done with Nadal on the other side of the net would be a gross understatement. This is the biggest match of the youngster’s career by far and he will be playing it while depleted in both the physical and mental departments. Moreover, as good as his one-handed backhand is, it may break down amidst the constant barrage of Nadal’s heavy topspin forehand.
Pick: Nadal in 2
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who ya got?
Nadal in 2
I think Rafa is going to be too much for Tsitsipas. What a story, though!
Insyaallah Rafa in 2!
Rafa has plAyed every match if his at night n final us daytime…different conditions…will it matter ? Tsitsipas has played all matches daytime
Rafa is a better player with elements like sun and wind. The court is lively when there is sun overhead. So I think it will be better for nadal.
Tsitsipas in 3 #believe
To Nny & Rafans….
https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/toronto-2018-final-preview
MA,
Thanks for that. History is in the line. But of course I hope for Rafa to be making the history!
😍
History is ON the line!
Good luck Rafa!
Rafa in two hopefully; if not then in three. Tsitsipas has a very good tricky serve and Rafa may have problems dealing with it. He had problem breaking Khachanov’s big serve I believe (didn’t get to watch their SF match) so Rafa needs to serve well to hold his own serve and maybe he has to win in TB sets?
Rafa had issues with Khachanov’s serve, but seemed to get a handle on it as the match went on. He was able to take advantage of this guy’s one-dimensional game. He does not have the skills of a Cilic.
Both guys had very similar serve stats. But Rafa was able to counter his power with the variety in his game. His volleys at net, using the drop shot, giving him different looks.
I think Tsitsipas has no fear and no pressure in this final. He should be relaxed and able to go for his shots. He does not give up. He is strong mentally. He is riding a high now.
But I think Rafa wants this title a lot. He will give it everything he’s got and fight all the way. I am betting on him to get the win. It could go two or three sets. I do hope that Rafa can adjust to the different conditions playing in the day. I also hope he can serve well.
This match might be more important than we perceive it right now, whoever wins. Imagine (if) Tsitsipas becoming a great player in history winning many titles, this encounter with Nadal could remain as another Sampras-Federer later on. People will remember the amazing short period when Rafa and Stefanos used to be active players at the same time.
Nadal in 2
So thrilled to see Rafa playing well on the hard-courts again and apparently free from pain – although one can never know for sure because he is adept at concealing it during his matches. For sure Tsitipas will make it tough for Rafa but I doubt very much he will cause a major upset.
Rafa in 3 with at least one if not two TBs.
I’m out of the business of picking for this one.
What I mean is: Rafa in 2 probably, but Tsitsipas winning his first Masters title would be miraculous, lol, as has been this whole tournament for him.
Same. I see Rafa winning, but maybe this is Tsitsipas glorious moment… Will wait and see.
Yep, Eugene probably Rafa. But Rafa will give the Greek many ideas to work on. Stefanos is like a sponge, learning and soaking it up right now.
Hope the weather in Toronto holds up so there’s no delays. I’m worried about the weather in Cincy all week too…..even as far out as US Open could be a wash out, unless things change. Meanwhile, the Pacific Coast states and Boise have recorded the hottest temperatures in the country the past week – drops of rain are needed!
Keep your mind sharp and focused, stay confident, be strong and show off your warrior spirit, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DkasjOPXcAExzpr.jpg
Nadal in three
Stefanos Tsitsipas deserves this trophy more than Rafa.
It would be hard for him to win it but I hope Stefanos wins it.
Good luck, you will need it.
Vamos S. Tsitsipas!
All i know is I want Rafa to win!!
Vamos!!
And Happy 20th birthday to Stefanos Tsitsipas! (just hear Chrissie and Pam calling the wta match talking about it)
Tsit holds to love to begin match
Today is a hard day for me. Rafa has been an important part of my life since I met him. I have enjoyed, as much as he, all his triumphs and I have suffered, probably more than him, every one of his defeats. I still hurt, especially, Wimbledon 18 (it was a steal for me) and Australia 14 (with Rafa injured, but playing).
Spain, in particular, owes much more than we think because it has been a great star in our low years as a nation.
Today I hope he wins his 33th Master 1000 but it is the first time in my life that I believe that, if he does not win, I will not suffer as much as usually do.
I think it’s a historical moment in which Tsitsipas, someone with a head and way of understanding tennis similar to Rafa, although they play different, can start to shine and hopefully it will be an example like Rafa do for the whole world of sports and for the youth in general. Come on Rafa
Rafa looks dialed in here.
Rafa up two breaks here in the early going. This is the best he’s looked so far here. Seeing the ball very well and knows what he wants to do.
Francisco Roig told Jason Goodall that ideally Rafa would want to play in the day. His ball jumps in these conditions. But he said the night matches are better for him heat wise.
Brad Gilbert said today Rafa’s shots are jumping very high. Tough for Tsitsipas to handle.
beatdown
6-2 Rafa. Rafa came out looking and playing like the World #1! Vamos!!
Rafa has to keep it up. Don’t let this kid in the match. We know he’s not going away.
Rafa up a break in the second set. If he can hold his serve then it’s over.
So far Rafa has been brilliant.
TsitsiFAST, is FASTLY picking up form in the 2nd set. He is dangerous now. Nadal has to concentrate and just wins his serves and he can then leave Montreal with his 1st 1000 Masters Title on Hard in 2018!
Vamos Rafa!
What is going on :O :O. Rafa is doing a Federer on serve
Damn it spoke too soon 🙁
Rafa what are you doing there? You know know how to close out a match right? Then what happened at 5-4?lol
Rafa is asking for trouble! Can’t believe he couldn’t close out the match!
I told you Rafans that this kid TsitsiFAST is dangerous now as he has picked up his to form?
Now TsitsiFAST is smelling blood and just might snatch the 2nd set from a disappointed rafa in the tiebreaker!
Rafa c’mmon, fight rafa.
Rafa doing this on purpose!!
What makes you say that Monalisa?
I truly am at a loss for words.
Bcos he always loses focus when hes on top of things and then makes things difficult for himself!! It happens everytime!!!
Yeah!!!! Congratulations to me!!!! Lol!!!
Vamos, Rafa!!!
A couple of costly misses off the forehand in the last stretch of that breaker for Tsitsipas. Not easy to convert against the defense of Rafa though. Great match for both. I thought Stefanos started returning much better towards the end of the second set and that combined with Rafa missing first serves made for a more interesting finale
Rafa wanted to make the match more interesting? Well, he managed to do it at the expense of his fans nerves 😀
Vamooossss! Congrats Champ! Congrats my fellow Rafans!
Amen tp that!! Smh!!
You gotta love the celebration at the end though!!! Pure gold!!!!!!
Rafa really made us sweat nearing the end of the second set! We know how dangerous this kid is once he’s thrown a lifeline. Rafa always want to make life difficult for us and for himself!
Why he’s so nervous when closing out the match? Maybe it’s being a long time (five years) since he last won a HC Masters?
Anyway, we’ll done Rafa for winning your 33rd Masters title. Well done to Tsitsipas too for making the second set more competitive and for coming so far in this tournament. I like Tsitsipas too and he’ll be the player I want to support once Rafa retires from professional tennis.
Yeah I like Stephanos too! But is it really 5 yrs since Rafa won a masters hard court trophy?!!! Really?!!! How come?
HC Masters! He last won a HC Masters at Cincy in 2013.
lol, Really? Weird!
Terrific 2nd set. The kid trying to butt heads with the GOAT. That was good. Now I hope they ESPN shows the trophy ceremony, dang it!
Rafa fans can breathe deep and smile now.
😉
#NID
It’ll be closer next time they play. Rafa came out playing very well, yes. But Tsitsipas looked like a deer caught in headlights for 2/3 of the match and I think that was as much nerves as Rafa.
Rafa said in his in court interview that he played a bad game! Duh! He got nervous. Well he sure manages to make his fans nervous! He is going to give me a heart attack one day!
The boy can speak so well and he’s rather charming I must say. Such a lovely boy!
I can’t believe ESPN is not showing the trophy ceremony! How stupid is that!
Congratulations to Rafa for extending his Masters wins record to 33! His celebration showed what it meant to him.
Seriously annoying for us USA Rafans. Guess we get to watch the Tennis Channel replay or hope someone uploads it to YouTube.
This is the first Rafa match I’ve watched live since IW 2017 when I watched the Fedal match live, figuring I might not have that many more chances to see them play. I don’t really worry about having a heart attack but I am convinced that watching Rafa live is NOT good for my health, mental or physical, lol! I didn’t think this match would have any stress. Thankfully the stress period was relatively short lived. And I did enjoy it.
tsame Ramara.
Rafa hasn’t come to Toronto in ten years?!! Wow, that’s a long time! It makes this win, this title so special for Rafa! I hope we will be seeing him in Toronto in two years time.
Rafa is as charming as ever, and getting better and better with his speeches in English. I’m glad we are having another charming (and young) player in Tsitsipas, who will take over from Fedal (and the big four) in future.
This win feels so good for Rafa, as he really came through a tough draw (two former USO champions) and then the red hot youngster who had already beaten 4 top ten players to reach the final.
It reminds me of Rafa’s tough draw at Beijing last year and how he came through that one too and beating Kyrgios in the final in two easy sets. Tsitsipas did well to make the second set more competitive; he’s unfortunate to meet Rafa twice in finals, when Rafa usually play(ed) well in finals.
Not bad for a 19 year old.
This final was more or less a foregone conclusion, so Ive been watching the golf instead.
I liked the bit at the end where Rafa rushed to his phone to check how Tiger was doing.
Considering how well he did here and the ranking points he amassed, should he even be going to Cincinnati. He does not like the balls or the courts there, has a brutal draw and definitely does not want to strain his body. I hope he gets a few matches and does not get involed in gruelling matches.
“Definitely not Rafa” is the new “Herbert will win”.
Scoot is the new Ricky.
#EpicDimonFails
Ha ha ha ha! So Scoot Dimon is now eating his humble pie! Taste nice??
Even I picked Rafa, and Im not his biggest fan.
Hey hey hey Nny!!….Your darling won!!Wooohoooo!!…Yesss!!…R U HAPPY???And Congrats to ALL RAFANS!!U GUYS R AWESOME!!..Btw,Hope Rafa will lose early in Cincy…Get some rest & make a right preparation for USO!…And please,please,please..hope he will get a nice draw at USO too!…And please send Tsitsi to Roger’s quarter this time God!Hahahaha…Just kidding Rogfans!…
Vamos Rafa!!…Love u!!
MA,
I am very happy! Just seeing Rafa’s reaction was so wonderful! He was pumped! I really don’t want to se him slugging it out in Cincy next week. I hope he doesn’t have to kill himself with that ugly draw. Maybe it’s better if he loses early there. He got what he needed out of Toronto. I hope he gets a good draw at the USO.
Heheheh…Yeah Nny!!…It’s okay he did it in 2013 coz he’s wayyyy younger,but..at 32???A’ah!!….Nope!…
I hope Carlos or his team will talk some sense into him that USO much more important than Cincy!
Nadal OUT of Cincinnati
Yesss!!…Double great news for today!!Yeehaaa!!…Tho,he will ruin a couple of precious point in my Bracket!…But,,,hey!…For Rafa’s sake LOLOLOLOL!!!
Now,we can follow Cincy without stress for a week!!Uhhh!!…Heaven!!…Thank u Ricky for telling us!!
Now!When i think of it…imagine Rafa got 2 weeks break & all his closest/main rivals slug it out in Cincy this week & only got 1 week rest compared to Rafa….And Rafa will go to USO full of confidence after huge success at Toronto!…OH WOW!!!!THIS IS THE MOST PERFECT USO PREPARATION EVER FOR RAFA!!…And for our heart & mind too!!..Yesss!!WOOOHOOO!!
Hopefully,he will have another great run at USO this year!…NY,,, HERE WE COME!!
Yup, according to the Cincy website Rafa has regretfully withdrawn from Cincy, citing “personal reasons” which he translated as wanting to stay healthy. At times Rafa shows signs of growing up. A bit sad, although not as sad as Rafa injuring himself right before the USO!
Right Decision, no doubt. But bummed that I wont be able to see him play live at Cincy. Hope I see DJoker at least 🙂
Savvy veteran GOAT move. Hopefully he skips the WTF exho to rest for AO next year too.
“I am very sorry to announce that I won’t be playing in Cincinnati this year,” Nadal posted on social media on Monday.
“No other reason than personally taking care of my body and trying to keep as healthy as I feel now.”
Scoot was one tournament too soon. Cincy? Maybe Djokovic. Perhaps Zverev.
#DefinitelyNotRafa
Excellent move to pull out.
At least Rafa is taking care of himself now, not wanting to push his body to the limit. A sensible move.
So Rafa pulled out of Cincy. I will miss seeing him play, but I totally understand after this tough tournament and that horrible draw he got. I have to accept that at 32 he has to pull back with his schedule.
At least the tennis channel had the decency of showing the trophy ceremony. The crowd sang Happy Birthday to Tsitsipas. That was lovely. Great speeches from both Stefanos and Rafa. At the end of his speech Rafa said he hoped to see you in two years to the crowd. That is when I get nervous. He also mentioned that he could not be here for so many years because of his injuries.
We need to remember the toll that has been taken on Rafa with all that he went through. I am so glad that he won this title!
Yes, the crowd singing Happy Birthday to Stephanos was great. Best of all was the very sweet smile on Rafa’s face while he listened to it.
Yes! I meant to mention it! Rafa loved it! That was something we all should have gotten to see. Shame on ESPN for not showing it.
This will probably be the first time ever that Rafa finishes 2 consecutive year as world No.1. If he is careful with his scheduling going forward, he could end a few more years as the top guy
Yes, I’ve no doubt that as long as Rafa stays healthy and reduces his workload, continues to play aggressive tennis, he is hard to beat. I think he can realistically end as year end no.1 for this year and even next year.