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Alexander Zverev was eliminated in the semifinals of the French Open
Photo: IAN LANGSDON / EPA
Alexander Zverev missed the final of the French Open.
The number six in the world lost in a dramatic semi-final 3: 6, 3: 6, 6: 4, 6: 4, 3: 6 against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas.
So far, the only entry into the final of a Grand Slam tournament was Zverev 2020 at the US Open.
On Sunday (3 p.m., TV: Eurosport) the number five seeded Tsitsipas will play in the final in Paris for his first Grand Slam title, either against Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal.
Tsitsipas got off to a much better start, quickly took the break in the first set and no longer gave up the lead over Zverev, who was still prone to errors in this phase.
In the second set, the best German tennis professional started much more concentrated, led 3-0 early - and then let the Greeks take him back point by point in a changeable match until he lost the second set.
Zverev is fighting back
With more active tennis, Zverev fought his way back, quickly got the break to 2: 1 and no longer gave up the lead.
A dispute with the chair referee, who subsequently credited a blow from Tsitsipas to the Greek instead of ordering two new serves, did not disturb the 24-year-old.
The third set went to Zverev, a break against Tsitsipas' first service game in the fourth set also decided this early.
But it was no longer enough for a comeback in the high-class game: At the start of the decisive fifth set, Zverev awarded three breakballs in a row.
The momentum was now with Tsitsipas, who in turn took the service game from Zverev and secured the final with his fifth match point after 3:37 hours.
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