Tsitsipas cracks winning code to reach Gstaad final

Stefanos Tsitsipas jumped on a costly late double-fault from Aleksandr Shevchenko to earn a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory for his first ATP final in a year and a half on Saturday.

The former world No. 2 Greek who currently ranks 85th moved ahead in the Alps at the Gstaad Swiss Open and will on Sunday play his first final since Dubai in early 2025.

The last time he got this far on clay was in Barcelona three years ago.

Tsitsipas will play for his 13th career trophy against Belgian Raphael Collignon, who put out 2-25 runner-up Juan Manuel Cerundolo 1-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5 in their semi-final.

The winner rallied from 5-2 down in the deciding set after winning just one of nine games in the early going against his Argentine opponent.

Collignon will be competing in his first ATP final after saving a Cerundolo match point at trailing 5-3 in the second set and constructing his comeback in the third.

Tsitsipas hopes to have turned the corner in his return to form after a disappointing season where he parted ways – for at least a second time – form his father-coach Apostolos.

The six-time Grand Slam semi-finalist needed one break to take the first set from Shevchenko, but cracked a racquet in frustration at a low point in the second as his opponent saved four break points in the seventh game.

With the match square at a set each, Tsitsipas regained control, breaking for 5-3 as Kazakh Shevchenko double-faulted.

A game later, Tsitsipas wrapped up victory with a forehand winner to the empty court after just under two hours.

“It was a great fight, we both played incredible tennis,” the winner said. “We both deserved the win.

“The altitude (1050m) makes it difficult during the first couple of days. In the mountains the ball bounces different.

“But the altitude also amplifies my game, my best shots pop a bit more.”

Tsitsipas and Collignon have never played: “We both really want it. Everyone wants to go out and give their all.

“I want to get out and take the court by storm.”

Collignon laid out his own strategy for the first-time meeting: “I will focus on my serve, be aggressive and try to play my game.

“When I do that I can be tough to beat.”

Main photo:- Stefanos Tsitsipas winning semi-final in Gstaad © ATPTour.com