Tsitsipas continues dream run in Toronto, reaches final

Giant-killing teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas outlasted Kevin Anderson in the Canadian Open semifinals to secure a place in his maiden ATP Masters 1000 final

Tsitsipas, who will turn 20 on Sunday, fought back from a set down to beat his South African opponent 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(7).

“Playing in a Masters 1000 final is the best thing that can happen on your birthday,” Tsitsipas told atpworldtour.com.

“I cannot believe it.”

In his second win against Anderson, the 19-year-old won all 17 of his service games and he has not yet been broken by the South African in the six sets they have played.

What an atmosphere. What a moment.

Toronto or Athens?

Congratulations, @StefTsitsipas ???? pic.twitter.com/DOyBI7UL1O

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 11, 2018

He said he stayed positive in the tie-breaker, knowing that one or two points can make the difference.

“I was mixing it up. He seemed a bit confused and he cracked at the end,” said Tsitsipas, who saved a match point when trailing 6-7 in the final-set tiebreak.

“I didn’t aim that high and I think with low expectations I managed to pull out my best tennis.”

The Greek became the youngest player to beat four top-10 players in an event since the ATP World Tour was established in 1990.

He beat world No.6 Anderson after topping eighth-ranked Dominic Thiem in the second round, world No.10 Novak Djokovic in the round of 16 and German No.3 Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals.

That feeling you get when you reach the biggest final of your young career. @StefTsitsipas #RogersCup pic.twitter.com/mHKFzQrbXj

— Rogers Cup (@rogerscup) August 11, 2018

Before this week, Tsitsipas had just three wins against players in the top 10.

The Athens native is the first unseeded finalist at the Canadian Open since Nicolas Kiefer in 2008.

Tsitsipas will play world No.1 Rafael Nadal – who beat him in the Barcelona Open decider in April – or unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov in Sunday’s final.

Ranked No.168 this week a year ago, Tsitsipas will climb to at least No.15 on Monday. If he wins the tournament he will soar to No.12.