Stefanos Tsitsipas Stuns Rafael Nadal to Reach Mutua Madrid Open Finals

The second semifinal at Caja Magica took place in the night session in Madrid, with the World Number two, Rafael Nadal taking on the Greek tennis player with two ATP titles this year. The Greek lad, Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated the eight-time champion, Nadal 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in the Mutua Madrid Open 2019 semifinals. 

Their showdown began with the ATP men exchanging their break of serves in the initial two games. In the third game, Rafael Nadal saved a break point with a forehand drop shot and kept the amusement unbroken. The eighth seed in Madrid, Tsitsipas was 0-40 down and later held his serve by withstanding the lethal forehands from Rafael Nadal and paralleled the score to 3-3.

The European men again traded the break of serves at 4-4. The incessant volleys from Tsitsipas were distressing the Spaniard mud master. In the final game of the set, the Greek saved a break point and then wrapped up the set with a backhand volley winner at 6-4. It was first set ever which Tsitsipas took from the 11-time Roland Garros champion, Rafael Nadal in their four meetings.

It’s the first time ever since 2004, Rafael Nadal has stepped on the Madrid loam without an ATP title and, the World Number nine tennis player, Stefanos Tsitsipas was all geared up to deny Rafa to play for the Spanish Masters title in front of his home crowd.

With Stefanos Tsitsipas exhibiting some lunging volleys and Rafael Nadal attacking flawlessly on the net, the duo held their serves intact at 2-2 in the second set. A failed volley attempt from the Greek lad and a broad forehand gave the Spaniard his major break of serve at 4-2 and later consolidated it by holding his serve to love.

An entirely different Rafael Nadal in the second set who was incessantly trying to make minimum faults, the Spaniard earned two set points, but they were saved by Stefanos Tsitsipas with a lethal volley which was smacked on Rafa’s shoulder. However, this time Nadal levels the game, by taking the second set 6-2.

A 22-long shot rally on Rafa’s serve was seized by Tsitsipas with an unblemished forehand winner on the Spaniard court, with the Manolo Santana resonating with ‘Vamos Rafa’ cheers, Rafael Nadal tottered to hold his serve at 2-1 in the third set.

Stefanos Tsitsipas received a major break of serve at 3-2 with an astute game on the net and then Rafa committing an unforced error. Then, Tsitsipas blotted out the break points in the next game and bolstered the break with a 4-2 lead.

With Rafael Nadal toppling over his serve and volley and the Greek dominating with his backhand slices gave Stefanos Tsitsipas another break. Frustrated Rafael Nadal in the final game flawed his volley and netted a backhand and got knocked out from the Mutua Madrid Open 2019. With this, Rafa remaining title-less in 2019 tennis season.

The new era contender, Stefanos Tsitsipas has won titles in Marseille and Estoril this year and he has 27 match wins in 2019 which is the highest on the ATP circuit until today.