Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, the highest seed, walks out on Centre Court docket like a star. He’s in a pale pink pinstripe shirt, his longish darkish blond hair held in a black headband. He seems like a taller, stronger Borg. He walks like Borg. He’s a person on a mission for his first ATP 500 title in Rotterdam, a title Borg gained in 1979.
Tsitsipas can see Borg’s title on the ring of champions on the sidelines of the courtroom. When requested how that makes him really feel, he solutions: “Privileged.”
His opponent, Alex de Minaur of Australia, seems like a surfer, lankier and taller in particular person than on TV. He’s sporting a blue/aqua/yellow/white shirt, blue ballcap with sun-streaked curls peeking out.
De Minaur is quick, scrambling in all places, however he doesn’t have the facility of the Greek.
(Picture by SANDER KONING/ANP/AFP through Getty Pictures)
Tsistsipas beats de Minaur in routine trend: 6-4, 6-4, in a single hour and 31 minutes, to succeed in the semifinals.
In his post-match press convention, Tsitsipas stated the distinction between him and his opponent was “serve, returns, and weapons.”
Tsitsipas served three aces and no double faults, whereas de Minaur served two aces and 4 double faults. The Greek’s first serve share was 60%, and he gained 82% of his first serve factors and 55% of his second serve factors. He saved two of three break factors. The Australian’s first serve share was 65%, and he gained 64% of his first serve factors and 48% of his second serve factors. He saved 9 of twelve break factors.
The Greek gained 41% of return factors and three return video games. The Australian gained 29% of return factors and one return recreation.
The Austalian’s weapon of footspeed was no match for the Greek’s many weapons, most notably his huge serve and forehand.
“I’m enjoying good tennis,” Tsitsipas stated. “And I’m having fun with seeing myself play good tennis like this.
“The sport is there. I’m making an attempt one of the best I can.
“I don’t know what every day goes to carry. However one factor that I can management is my consideration and my self-discipline and my focus, the one which I carry out each single day.
“The remaining is simply each phrase to my sacrifices and to my work ethic. To this point, I’m making an attempt to place myself into the mindset. And it is very important be prepared each single day for any form of challenges and difficulties and discover options to all the things that’s offered to you.”
Subsequent up for the 23-year-old Greek is 20-year-old Czech qualifier Jiri Lehecka.
