16:58
D. Medvedev – S. Tsitsipas 4:4
Slammed! Tsitsipas now directs the rallies, takes the balls early and then optimally hits the forehand longline from the backhand corner. So the score is 4:4 and Medvedev promptly complains that the pitch is too slippery. Lahyani comes down briefly but decides conditions are the same. A heated discussion follows between Medvedev and the chair umpire, which the spectators acknowledge with whistles. Lahyani instructs the players to stay on the benches for now.
16:56
D. Medvedev – S. Tsitsipas 4:3
Medvedev lacks the length in the forehand and Tsitsipas benefits from it! He grabs his forehand, plays the winner and has two break points!
16:55
D. Medvedev – S. Tsitsipas 4:3
Will the Greek attack now? He goes all out and catches the Russian on the net with a backhand cross on the wrong foot. 0:30!
16:52
D. Medvedev – S. Tsitsipas 4:3
…and immediately makes the first game ball at the net with a fine forehand volley crossed into the field. He can get to 3:4, but the advantage of the early break remains with the opponent.
16:51
D. Medvedev – S. Tsitsipas 4:2
Medvedev enjoyed stopping, he has thrown in this blow again and again and caught Tsitsipas on the wrong foot. The Russian has attempted three stops so far and has been successful three times. Nevertheless, Tsitsipas still has two balls…
16:49
D. Medvedev – S. Tsitsipas 4:2
Medvedev doesn’t burn much with his own serve. Tsitsipas realizes he needs to up the risk. He puts everything in the backhand longline, played one-handed of course. But it hisses just behind the baseline and so Medvedev can increase to 4: 2.
16:43
D. Medvedev – S. Tsitsipas 3:2
The Greek’s next game also goes smoothly. He will be annoyed that he had to give up the first service game and is now chasing the break. So Tsitsipas can shorten to 2: 3, but Medvedev can immediately restore the distance.
16:41
D. Medvedev – S. Tsitsipas 3:1
At 30 the game goes to 3:1 to Medvedev. He twists the forehand cross with the first ball, but then does it better cross at the net.
16:37
D. Medvedev – S. Tsitsipas 2:1
Tsitsipas logs on the scoreboard! The service game to zero to 2: 1 will do him good. He makes the cue ball with a cross-played stop forehand from the backhand corner.
16:34
D.Medvedev – S.Tsitsipas 2:0
Nice point on the net of Tsitsipas! Medvedev gets to a ball in the forehand corner and plays it back longline with a lot of spin, but the Greek is good at the net and pushes the ball cross into the field. 30:0!
16:33
D.Medvedev – S.Tsitsipas 2:0
Medvedev has to go through the second service, but the return then flies Tsitsipas over the frame. Medvedev makes it 2-0 and has thus confirmed the early break.
16:32
D.Medvedev – S.Tsitsipas 1:0
But Medvedev does not walk through his first service game either. He gives up two points after 30:0, but then decides the longest rally of the match so far with a clever stop. cue ball!
4:30 p.m
D.Medvedev – S.Tsitsipas 1:0
Class complete! Tsitsipas has to go over the second serve and Medvedev then fields the return longline with the forehand inside out. That was of course an advantage for Medvedev that his opponent had to serve directly after the break. He tossed the coin to return and the tactic initially worked, 1-0 for the Russian.
16:29
D.Medvedev – S.Tsitsipas 0-0
It’s getting hot! Tsitsipas briefly struggled with a forehand from Medvedev, which was still on the line. Breakball for the Russian!
16:28
D.Medvedev – S.Tsitsipas 0-0
It’s by no means an easy start for the Greek! He leads 30:0, but then gives up the next two points. He loses the point to 30 both with a warped forehand. Does it get hot quickly?
16:26
D.Medvedev – S.Tsitsipas 0-0
In fact, it starts! It’s an unusual start as both players had to sit on the bench for a good ten minutes after warming up. But soon it should be warmer for them again, Tsistipas opens!
16:23
Patience is required
In the grandstands, the spectators are already wrapped up in rain capes and jackets and have taken out their umbrellas. The players also get an umbrella held over the bench, and Tsitsipas has also wrapped himself in a towel. Lahyani thanks both of them for their patience. One still seems to assume that things can start in the near future. The lines have already been deducted once.
16:16
Game start delayed
Showers and thunderstorms in Rome have been canceled for the afternoon. It’s already raining lightly and chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani announces over the loudspeakers that the start of the game will be delayed. It is currently too slippery on the pitch. The players have just completed their warm-up routine. Tsitsipas will open the match with the serve, but for now the players take their seats on the benches.
16:09
Tsitsipas in high form
But the way to this 20th title leads through a strong opponent. Stefanos Tsitsipas has an annual record of 24:7 wins after giving Croatian Borna Coric no chance in the quarterfinals. Impressive: Tsitsipas has yet to drop a set in the entire tournament and eliminated two local heroes in Lorenzo Sonego and Lorenzo Musetti en route to the semifinals. The second final after Barcelona on clay this year beckons, similar to the first Rome finalist Rune.
16:00
Medvedev is chasing a curious record
For Medvedev, a final against Rune would be revenge for Monte Carlo, where the Russian lost to the eventual finalist in the quarters. So far, Medvedev has not let much burn in Rome. He’s not really a fan of the clay court game, but in the course of the tournament he only gave up a set at the start of the tournament against the Spaniard Bernabe Zapata miralles. After that he didn’t give the Germans Alexander Zverev and Yannick Hanfmann a chance. If the Russian wins the title in Rome, it will be his 20th success on the tour – and at 20 different tournaments!
15:57
The first finalist has been determined
In a three-set thriller, Holger Rune has just secured first place in the final in Rome. He wins the game 6:7, 6:4, 6:2. So the protagonists of the second semi-final can get ready!
15:03
Welcome
Welcome to the second semi-final of the Masters tournament in Rome! Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas duel for the final ticket. But you still have to wait until Holger Rune and Casper Ruud have chosen the first finalist. Their match is in the second set, then Tsitsipas and Medvedev will play!