Tsitsipas continued his upset of Rogers Cup seeds with a messy three-set victory over No. 2 seed and defending champion Alexander Zverev, 3-6, 7-6(11), 6-4.
To say that Tsitsipas–despite the win–wasn’t at his best in his quarterfinal match is something of an understatement. The Greek, who was so good in his round of 16 win over Novak Djokovic, struggled mightily in the two-hour and 30-minute quarterfinal. He broke Zverev in the German’s first service game but lost the next four games and was broken again at 3-5.
The match seemed destined to be over in straight sets, as Tsitsipas continued to struggle with just about every facet of his game. Zverev served for the match at 5-3, but he donated a loose service game to prolong the agony. Neither man played an emphatic tiebreak, but it was Tsitsipas who came away with the set.
The third set featured loose tennis from both guys, but Zverev capped off a dismal performance with a double-fault on match point, serving at 4-5.
Asked about his form, Zverev was characteristically frank. “I don’t think today he played that well,” he quipped. “I think the match was absolutely pathetic on all levels…. He was serving 125s to my backhand and I was missing them. That does not happen.”
Tsitsipas was a bit more circumspect, rating his own performance as “okay.”
He will take on Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson in the semifinals on Saturday.
[polldaddy poll=10077717]
There’s phrases for matches like that. AZ should learn them. “I didn’t play my best today. He played better than me.”
Oh that’s harsh from Sascha. I thoroughly enjoyed the match. Both had moments of brilliance and some low points but in the end Sascha really botched it. He has reasons to be mad at himself. But I’m looking forward to their third match and hope it comes soon!
Congrats to Tsitsipas Masters Semifinalist and world #18!
He’s not completely incorrect, but he’s just sore that he came out the loser this time. Also, he was defending champion points, so that’s gotta hurt.
I like Tsitsipas style of play. He might be the next ‘hidden gem’. We’ll definitely enjoy watching him, Shapo, Tiafoe, Zverev, hopefully Fritz competing closely.
Tsitsi also looks calm and balanced. As I already said, I just don’t like Zverev. The Greek give me hopes I’ll not abandon tennis after Fedal retire.
I also like Tsitsipas, not so much Sasha and Shapo. Tsitsipas has the right balance of everything – controlled aggression and good defence; calm and cool demeanour, great fighting spirit and never gives up; good serve, good footwork, he has a beautiful game and his good looks help too.
I hope he’s like Rafa – hardworking, not arrogant, competitive, motivated.
Zverev:
‘I don’t think he played that well. I think the match was absolutely pathetic on all levels,’ Zverev said. ‘I’m very honest with you guys (the press). Today was an absolute pathetic match I don’t even think he played well.’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-6049261/The-match-absolutely-pathetic-Furious-Alexander-Zverev-launches-attack-Stefanos-Tsitsipas.html
Arrogance personified. Sasha better live up to expectations.
Pathetic comment by Zverev! He needs to learn some humility!
He’s arrogant,all right.
I did warm to him more at RG when he said he fell in love with a reporters Yorkshire accent..
That’s veiled condescension trivializing the reporter.
He is indeed arrogant and petulant and a big reason why he struggles in big matches.
Thanks Hawks for using that word ‘petulant’. I have enriched my English vocabulary 🙂 I knew that word in my language and it’s very useful sometimes.
Yep, Zverev needs to change his attitude. A big player has to get rid of those childish reactions.
Tsitsipas played as well as he needed to to win.
He saved a match point with brilliance, measured aggression and composure – something Sascha sorely lacks.
I’ve never warmed to Sasha. I admire his ability. But, yeah, arrogance. And has Sasha ever pulled out a close “big” match? More bully than player, maybe?
I’m more annoyed with Sasha for messing up my bracket! I had him beating Djoko and getting to the final😂
I have become increasingly unhappy with Zverev’s attitude. He has let it all get to him. He is arrogant and annoying at times. I really disliked his post-match presser. Very churlish and petty. He did not get it done in that match and it’s all on him. He had control of the match abd it was looking like a straight sets victory. But Zverev could not close it out. Tsitsipas did exactly what he was supposed to do – stay in the game and take advantage of opportunities.
Zverev’s failure to convert numerous break chances was a big reason why he lost. Then he fell apart st the end, DF away the match. He needed to own it in his presser. He was dismissive of his opponent. He sounded like a jerk. You accept the fact that you did not play well enough to win and lost. You give credit to your opponent.
Novak showed how it’s done in his presser after losing to Tsitsipas. He gave credit to him and said he deserved to win. He said that he did not play well. That is how Zverev should have handled it. You cannot become a true champion in this sport if you cannot deal with tough losses.
Zverev’s problem is that he thinks he is better than he really is.
“He sounded like a jerk”!….Hahahaha!!….Nny!….I totally,definitely,affirmatively agree with everything u said here Milady!!Wooohoooo!!
Oh!…A response from Tsitsi to that by picking a quote from his sport psychologist…”A good player can be seen in his bad day”….Ohohohoho!!…Straight to Sascha’s nose!Hahaha….God!This kid is just awesome!!
MA,
Glad you liked it! Tsitsipas seems to find answers for everything! He reacted well after being dissed by Zverev, who showed no class in his presser!
Oh yesss ma’am!!….I really like Tsitsi response…His character showed to us that he can be a great player one day…I just hope he will planted his feet on the ground all the time[like our Rafa]..even after he sowed a lot of success after this…
Not a fan much of Zverev either. I want to like him but his game sort of reminds me of a glorified Berdych and his personality isn’t that likable. Plus he can’t get anything done at slams. I know most of you hate Kyrgios which I totally understand, but the reason I prefer him over Zverev is because 1) his game and talent is really enthralling to watch for me 2) he really seems like a great guy off the court and just seems to struggle with his emotions and motivation on the court.
Also I believe Zverev’s arrogance is a big reason why he loses so often early at slams. His arrogance converts to stubbornness which causes him to stay playing the exact same way with the exact same mindset no matter what adversity he is facing. His game is too one dimensional and he refuses to mix up the speeds (unlike the Greek god) when he is having adversity. Just look at all the top guys who win or go far at slams. Almost all those guys have a lot of variety even if their go-to approach is to be super aggressive. Even a guy like Anderson, who despite not having amazing feel, has become a pretty great volleyer, something Zverev is not. And with Djokvoic, despite his lack of volleying skills (relative to the other big guns that is) he makes up for it with his incredible spins and feel on the drop shot. Zverev is literally a better version of Berdych taking advantage of injuries to Murray, Djokovic, Wawrinka, etc. and allowing him to rise to an inflated spot in the rankings.
Yes, he’s far too one dimensional and that was the difference with Isner,Anderson etc at Wimby this year, they’d learnt to be more than a big serve.
Theres no subtelty in his game , but he’ll learn .
The way you just described him , reminds me of a young Lendl.
I’m in love with Tsitsifast!
I’m a huge fan as well RC. One of my new favorite players!! I saw this kid a couple years ago balling at junior Wimbledon and saw the similarities between his game and Roger’s and was intrigued. He also has that elite mental strength of Rafa’s as many of you guys have mentioned. Such a fun player to watch and has a great balance of confidence and humility about him. Great to see him making these strides. So psyched for this kid!!
Was anybody watching the men’s semifinal? Tsitsipas beat Anderson in three sets! The kid did it!
Did he ever! I had to leave after the 2nd set to go out to dinner so just finished watching my recording! The “Greek Freak” just became my 2nd fave after Rafa!
Thought he had nerves of steel until he df’ed on match point. Kinda glad to know he is human. I felt that Kando did not play particularly well but still –!
I was already a fan of Tsitsipas before this tournament. I preferred him over anyone else of the young rising stars. I am/was comparing him with Fedal, the similarities he has with them; he’s much more impressive than Shapo imo, and only Sasha is ahead of him in the rankings now among the youngsters.
He’s following the footsteps of Sasha, into a Masters final, and on his 20th birthday. If it’s not Rafa in the final, I hope he wins it. I feel sorry for Anderson, so close to getting into a masters final but still couldn’t do it.
Yeah!I agree with u Lucky!….I’m not one of those peoples who ‘gobsmacked’ by the nextgen[i still prefer the old Gen]…But Tsitsi character mesmerized me…I can see some ‘Rafa’ in him[tho Rafa’s game & everything else wayyyyyyyy amazing than Tsitsi]…But he has something that the other nextgen still lacking imo…Mental strength & humility…
Wow, Tsitsipas is just so humble it’s awesome. After the match, shown in this link, he tells the crowd “Me? No, you” and pointed to all of them, suggesting that they are the reason he got through because of their support. What a class act. https://mobile.twitter.com/TennisTV/status/1028402972320034816