Stefanos Tsitsipas fought back tears as he reminded fans on court Philippe Chatrier of his roots.
“I come from a really small place. My dream was to play here. To play on the big stage at the French Open one day,” the 22-yearold said moments after he had hauled himself across the finish line to make history at Roland Garros on Friday.
The long-haired Greek edged out German rival Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 in 3 hours and 37 minutes to become the first player from his country to make a Grand Slam final. Tsitsipas’ win was that much sweeter for Greece given that compatriot Maria Sakkari came up just short in the women’s semifinals late on Thursday.
Tsitsipas, looking to record his 39th Tour-level match win, 21 of which have come on clay, better than any player on Tour this season, went on the offensive from the word go. Zverev won just three points on his second serve in the opening set; in the second, where the German led 3-0 before Tsitsipas ran away with six successive games, it was a mere two points (on his second serve).

The charismatic Greek may have led the head-to-head 5-2, coming into the semifinal meeting, but the German, who has faced rough weather off the court, had claimed their only encounter in 2021, in Acapulco on hardcourt.
Zverev, seen as difficult and uncoachable, having run through more coaches than rackets in a season, was faced with domestic violence charges by his ex-girlfriend Olga Sharypova last year. A couple of months ago, his most recent ex-girlfriend model Brenda Patea, gave birth to a baby girl, the Ger man pro’s daughter. Zverev’s tennis, however, has picked up pace.

Zverev, who started steering longer rallies his way in the third set, also upped his serve. He broke the powerful Greek in the third game, but may have finally got his act together when chair umpire Renaud Lichtenstein refused to give him the benefit of the doubt with a late call in the third set. The sixth seed lifted his game, while the Greek was missing more than hitting as the scores levelled at two sets apiece.
Tsitsipas delivered a strong hold in the opening game of the decider, coming back from love-40 to wrench the game in stirring fashion at the 3-hour mark. He broke in the fourth game when Zverev knocked a regulation twohander into the net to take a 3-1 lead. Zverev, who appeared to be cramping as the set progressed, saved four breakpoints in the eighth game to force Tsitsipas to serve for a place in the final. The Greek made no mistake, closing on his fifth match point, sealing it with his eighth ace of the match.