Tsitsipas outlasts Zverev in five-set thriller to enter maiden French Open final

Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to the first grand slam final of his career after labouring his way past a determined Alexander Zverev in the first men’s semi-final of the French Open.

Tsitsipas looked set for an easy win after he won the first two sets by the identical margin of 6-3. But Zverev, who had till then looked woefully out of form, turned the tables and levelled the match by taking the next two sets 6-4, 6-4.

With the match entering the decider, Tsitsipas changed his kit and started afresh. He saved three break points in the first game of the final set to hold his serve and then went on to break the German to take a crucial lead in the decider and eventually closed the set 6-3.

With the win, Tsitipas, at the age of 22, became the first Greek star to reach French Open final.

Tsitsipas, who had reached the semi-final at Roland Garros last year too, managed to surpass himself this year.

He will take on the winner of the match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the final.

(More to follow…)