15:29
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 3:5
The break gives self-confidence! Zverev rushes through his service game without any problems and makes it 5: 3. Tsistipas serves against the loss of the match!
15:24
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 3:4
Indeed! Zverev has the first break chance of the game and uses it directly because the Greek’s backhand drips off the edge of the net. That comes at a good time, 4: 3 for the German. He now wants to catch up.
15:20
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 3:3
Zverev brings the game home to 3: 3 in the episode. But there was a breakball in the air for the first time. Can Zverev now also become dangerous to the opponent when he serves?
15:18
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 3:2
Lucky for Zverev! At 15:30 he has to go over the second serve and the Greek dominates the rally. He lures Zverev forward with a very flat stop, but he then closes it up well and Tsitsipas warps the passing shot. 30 both!
15:13
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 3:2
The 23-year-old pulls his head out of the noose again, goes to the net and scores with the forehand winner. He takes a 3-2 lead.
15:11
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 2:2
Tsitsipas messes up the ball because he only hits the forehand with the frame. This is how it goes about the second debut!
15:08
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 2:2
Curious rescue stroke from Zverev! Actually, Tsitsipas has to make the point on the net, but he hits the corner where the German is already moving and he reacts with lightning speed. The ball still drips into the field, after which the Greek can only play it back and Zverev scores with his strong backhand longline.
15:06
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 2:2
Zverev also has to go beyond the debut. Then the second serve and a complicated volley after a strong return from the Greek is needed to equalize to 2:2.
14:58
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 2:1
But then the Greek brings the game to the stage. Tsitsipas realizes that his opponent is positioned very far behind the baseline and unpacks the stop again. Zverev can still reach it, but can’t get it across anymore. 2:1
14:57
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 1:1
It’s about debut! Tsitsipas has the game ball on the racket on the net, but smashes the ball into the net from a short distance.
14:53
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 1:1
The German has significantly more trouble in his first service game. But he acts boldly, goes to the net and just hits the baseline with the attack. So he has the ball and gets the game to 1:1 with a forehand inside-out winner from the backhand corner.
14:51
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 1:0
The first longer rally goes to Tsitsipas! He only sends Zverev to the net with a stop, which the German still runs strong. Then the Greek lets the volley drain and he still scratches the line.
14:48
S. Tsitsipas – A. Zverev 1:0
The Greek manages his first service game without any trouble and takes a 1-0 lead. How does Zverev get in?
14:46
S.Tsitsipas – A.Zverev 0:0
The match is on, Tsitsipas serves first!
14:29
Direct comparison
The victory in the semifinals in Madrid was Zverev’s first success over Tsitsipas on clay. In a direct comparison, however, the Greek leads 7:4, three of which were victories in places with the red ash. But today both meet in good shape and it promises to be a close match!
14:21
Zverev still without losing a set
But Alexander Zverev is also in good shape. He didn’t give Cristian Garin a chance in the quarter-finals by winning two sets and also marched through the tournament against Alex de Minaur and Sebastien Baez without losing a set. This is his third time in the semi-finals in Rome. In 2017 he reached the final for the first time after beating John Isner and then sensationally beat Novak Djokovic before beating Marin Cilic a year later, but then failing at Rafael Nadal. Can he still win a semi-final today?
14:14
Best player on clay
This year it is the third semi-final in a row at a Masters, curiously every time against Alexander Zverev! While he didn’t give the German a chance in Monte Carlo, he retaliated in Madrid. The Greek is the strongest player on clay this season with 30 wins already. He wants to build on this form today.
14:12
Tsitsipas without problems against Sinner
Stefanos Tsitsipas took Jannik Sinner out of the tournament in 2 sets in the quarterfinals. The intense game lasted almost two and a half hours. In the previous matches against the Russian Karen Khachanov and the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, Tsitsipas had needed three sets each. It is his second semi-final in Rome after 2019, where he failed to Rafael Nadal.
14:07
Showdown in Rome!
Welcome from Rome to the semifinals of the Masters of the “Internazionali BNL d’Italia” 2022! Stefanos Tsitsipas meets Germany’s number 1 Alexander Zverev. It’s supposed to start at 2:30 p.m., have fun!