Stefanos Tsitsipas: “I’m very happy that Greece is a bigger part of the tennis community now. I’m very proud that Maria (Sakkari) and I have kept Greek tennis alive right now.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas: “It was nerve-wracking in the fifth set. Thank you to the crowd for cheering me on. I knew there would be opportunities to fight back in the match. It was very difficult and emotional. This win is the most important one of my career so far.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas: “All I can think of right now is my roots. I come from a small place outside Athens. To reach the Roland Garros final means a lot (holds back tears).”
10.08 pm: After three hours and 37 minutes of intense tennis, Tsitsipas converts his fifth match point and we have a new Grand Slam finalist. The Greek fifth seed closes it out with his eighth ace. A lovely embrace at the net between the two players, followed by some tears for Tsitsipas.
Stefanos Tsitsipas defeats Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 5-3 Zverev: Zverev saves FOUR match points! That was intense! The German is hanging on by a thread but full credit to him for playing some big-time tennis under pressure. However, Tsitsipas will serve for the match now. He will definitely feel the pressure. Can Zverev break back?
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 5-2 Zverev: Tsitsipas is one game away from his first Grand Slam final! Solid serving from the Greek in that game. Zverev’s shoulders seemed to have dropped a bit. It’s now or never for him.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 4-2 Zverev: A double fault followed by an ace as Zverev closes out that game to 15. He needed that comfortable hold. Now it’s up to Tsitsipas to deliver two steady service games.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 4-1 Zverev: Tsitsipas consolidates the break of serve with an ace on game point. He’s just two games away from the final now. Zverev isn’t playing badly but his intensity seems to have dropped a bit. He has to respond quickly.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 3-1 Zverev: Tsitsipas breaks! The Greek fifth seed is pumped and the crowd is behind him. Shaky game from Zverev and Tsitsipas capitalised with some smart play.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 2-1 Zverev: An inside-out forehand winner followed by a sizzling crosscourt backhand winner – clean hitting from Tsitsipas in that game. He is definitely playing a lot better now. Will there be yet another momentum shift?
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 1-1 Zverev: Important hold for Zverev. He was up 40-0 before Tsitsipas won consecutive points, but he kept his composure to close out the game.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 1-0 Zverev: Massive hold for Tsitsipas! He was down 0-40 but clawed his way back thanks to some fine serving and movement and courageous groundstrokes. Will be interesting to see how Zverev recovers from this lost opportunity.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6 Zverev: We have a fifth set! Phenomenal tennis from Zverev in that final game. There was a brutal 27-shot rally which he closed out with a delightful volley. After two hours and fifty minutes, this match is heading into a decider.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-5 Zverev: A crucial hold for Tsitsipas. He was down 0-30 but won four straight points, which included two superb forehand winners, to close out the game. Zverev will serve for the set now.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 3-5 Zverev: Brilliant serving from Zverev. Big, accurate serves by him and he holds to love. This match seems destined to get a fifth set.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 3-4 Zverev: Another quick service game for Tsitsipas as he holds to love. The fifth seed is definitely trying hard but credit to Zverev, he isn’t letting up on his serve.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 2-4 Zverev: Better from Tsitsipas in that game, he went from 30-0 to 30-30 on the back of some solid backhands that dusted the line. But Zverev does well to close out the game.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 2-3 Zverev: Zverev breaks the run of love holds with a clean crosscourt forehand winner. But a comfortable service hold for Tsitsipas nonetheless.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 1-3 Zverev: Another love hold for Zverev. A wonderful volley from him in that point, he’s settled into a nice rhythm now.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 1-2 Zverev: Just what Tsitsipas needed – a love hold! Much better play from him in that game, moved Zverev around nicely.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 0-2 Zverev: A love hold for Zverev! That was a poor, poor game from Tsitsipas. He needs to calm down soon and play percentage shots. Zverev doing well to put balls back into play.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 0-1 Zverev: Zverev breaks to start the fourth set! A number of errors from Tsitsipas in that game and he’s left furious with himself at the end of it. He’s talking to himself constantly now. It’s all going Zverev’s way at the moment.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-6 Zverev: That’s the third set in the bag for Alexander Zverev! It’s tough to predict at this point which way this match will head. Tsitsipas’s level has certainly dropped but can the German sustain his?
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-5 Zverev: Tsitsipas manages to hold his serve but there was a major disagreement between Zverev and the chair umpire in that game over a line call. But the German will now serve for the set. He’s worked hard to get to this point but will need to be composed now.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 3-5 Zverev: Top tennis from Zverev! He was under the pump in that game but came up with a couple of big serves and accurate groundstrokes. Tsitsipas will now serve to stay in the set.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 3-4 Zverev: Tsitsipas with a glorious forehand winner down the line to close out that game. The Greek has lost the rhythm he had but is hanging in there. It comes down to whether Zverev can sustain his level.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 4-2 Zverev: Zverev saves a break point and holds! Some clutch tennis in that game from the German. Both players look a bit cagey at the moment.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 2-3 Zverev: Tsitsipas with a quick hold to break Zverev’s run. This is a key phase in the set now, Zverev was leading at this stage in the last set too but collapsed after that. He has to deliver this time.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 1-3 Zverev: That’s a hat-trick of games won by Zverev! He finishes a punishing rally at the net and then raises his hands asking the crowd to make some noise. Can Tsitsipas bounce back again?
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 1-2 Zverev: Zverev breaks! This is an impressive fightback from the German. He still isn’t playing particularly well but he’s tightened up the errors and benefitted from some loose points by Tsitsipas.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 1-1 Zverev: After losing seven games in a row, Zverev gets on the board in the third set with a blazing crosscourt backhand winner. It’s now or never for him. Tsitsipas is playing consistent tennis and the German will have to as well.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3, 1-0 Zverev: A solid start to the third set for Tsitsipas after he took a washroom break between the sets. Zverev showed some fight in the last point but Tsitsipas closed it out with a superb forehand winner down the line.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3 Zverev: Tsitsipas takes a two set lead! That’s six games in a row for the Greek. Zverev suffered a hat-trick of service breaks after leading 3-0. Sensational collapse for the German. He was all over the place in that final game, staying errors off both flanks.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 5-3 Zverev: Tsitsipas wins his fifth successive game! This has been quite the turnaround in this set. Zverev would be desperate to hold serve this time.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 4-3 Zverev: Tsitsipas showing his class on clay! Two brilliant points from him in that game and he breaks Zverev again. The Greek constructed those points beautifully and finished them off with precision at the net. He was down 0-3 but leads 4-3 now thanks to consecutive breaks. Zverev simply hasn’t found his best so far.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 3-3 Zverev: And we’re back on level terms in this second set as Tsitsipas consolidates the break of serve with a hold to 30. Zverev’s missed chances are stacking up.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 2-3 Zverev: Tsitsipas converts the second break point to get back on serve! Zverev was put under pressure in that game and he struggled to respond. It’s been that kind of a match so far, with both players struggling to gain any real rhythm.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 1-3 Zverev: Tsitsipas holds to 15. He needed a quick game on serve. The Greek looks a bit anxious on the court at the moment. He’ll want to break Zverev’s momentum soon.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 0-3 Zverev: And now Zverev consolidates the break with a hold. He’s looking so much more confident. Tsitsipas, meanwhile, gives a furious rant after missing a second serve return. The momentum has well and truly shifted in this match.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 0-2 Zverev: A huge roar from Zverev as he breaks! A very tight game from Tsitsipas there. He won the first set but it seems to have made him more nervous for some reason.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3, 0-1 Zverev: Just the start to the second set that Zverev would’ve wanted as he holds to love. There hasn’t been much to separate the two players so far. This should be a tight set.
The players are back on the court for the second set. Can Zverev square things up?
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 6-3 Zverev: Tsitsipas converts his second set point to close out the opener in 37 minutes! He definitely had nerves in that game but Zverev made things easy for him with a backhand error on set point.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 5-3 Zverev: Tsitsipas took it from 0-40 to 30-40 but Zverev closed out the game. The German needs to break now or the set is done.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 5-2 Zverev: Zverev takes it to 30-all but Tsitsipas closes out the game. The German made an incredible return to a smash on game point but then ended up hitting a backhand wide. The Greek is just a game away from bagging the set.
Zenia D’Cunha: Zverev is playing his third Grand Slam semi-final (AO 20, USO 20). Tsitsipas is in his fourth (AO 19, 21, RG 20). But the German has reached a final before while the Greek is aiming for his first. Let’s see how the experience helps with the nerves.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 4-2 Zverev: Now Zverev with a love hold. He needed that. Much better serving from him in that game.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 4-1 Zverev: Tsitsipas with a love hold! He likes this surface and he’s definitely looking the better player at the moment. Time running out for Zverev in this set.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 3-1 Zverev: The German finally gets on the board with a hold to 30. Zverev played his best point so far in that game, moving Tsitsipas to every corner. But he’s still not looking entirely comfortable on the court yet.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 3-0 Zverev: And Tsitsipas consolidates the break with a solid hold. Both players are looking a lot more assured in their movement and strokes now that the nerves have settled. Meanwhile, Tsitsipas has already got a code violation for taking too long to serve.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 2-0 Zverev: We have the first break of serve! Zverev makes consecutive double faults and Tsitsipas makes the most of the opening. This is just the start the Greek would’ve hoped for.
First semifinal, Tsitsipas 1-0 Zverev: Tsitsipas takes the opening game after Zverev took it to deuce. Both players clearly a bit tight in that first game. There were a couple of long rallies and Zverev won both of them.
6.31 pm: Right, the warmups are done and we’re ready for play! Stefanos Tsitsipas to serve. Here we go!
6.22 pm: The players are making their way out to the Court Philippe Chatrier now! Zverev followed by Tsitsipas. There will be a brief warm-up now before the first men’s singles semi-final gets underway.
6.14 pm: First up today it’s going to be Tsitsipas vs Zverev. Here are their roads to the semi-finals:
Head-to-head: Tsitsipas leads 5-2
Paths to the semi-final (x indicates seeded player):
Zverev
1st rd: bt Oscar Otte (GER) 3-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-0
2nd rd: bt Roman Safiullin (RUS) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 7-6 (7/1)
3rd rd: bt Laslo Djere (SRB) 6-2, 7-5, 6-2
4th rd: bt Kei Nishikori (JPN) 6-4, 6-1, 6-1
QF: bt Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) 6-4, 6-1, 6-1
Tsitsipas
1st rd: bt Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 6-1
2nd rd: bt Pedro Martinez (ESP) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
3rd rd: bt John Isner (USA x31) 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1
4th rd: bt Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP x12) 6-3, 6-2, 7-5
QF: bt Daniil Medvedev (RUS x2) 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5
6.06 pm: Stefanos Tsitsipas was clinical in his quarter-final win over second seed Daniil Medvedev. The Greek is looking good to go a step further than his semi-final finish at Roland Garros last year.
Read: How Tsitsipas reaffirmed his great form on clay with a clinical win against Medvedev
6.01 pm: Just in – Barbora Krejcikova is through to the women’s doubles final as well! What an unbelievable Roland Garros she is having.
6.00 pm: Hello and welcome to live coverage of the men’s singles semi-finals at the 2021 French Open.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will take on Alexander Zverev in the first semi-final today, followed by the blockbuster showdown between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.