World no. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to his third Rome Masters semi-final. Stefanos met Borna Coric in the last quarter-final at Foro Italico and scored a 6-3, 6-4 win in an hour and 36 minutes. Thus, the Greek set the semi-final clash against Daniil Medvedev, which should be thrilling.
Stefanos beat Borna for the third time in six duels, prevailing at the United Cup at the start of the season and delivering a more convincing triumph tonight to remain on the title course. Both players struggled to find the first serve (48% for Tsitsipas), and a better-ranked rival drew the most from that.
Stefanos won 26 out of 29 points behind the first serve and denied three out of four break chances to keep the pressure on the other side. Borna dropped 44% of the points in his games, facing four break points and experiencing three breaks of serve to end his run in the quarter-final.
Tsitsipas hit 18 service winners and stood on a 24-17 ratio from the field.
Stefanos Tsitsipas ousted Borna Coric in the Rome Masters quarter-final.
Coric delivered 17 direct points and 27 mistakes, missing equally from both wings to finish on the losing side.
Stefanos built the advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes and forged the victory in that segment. Both players made a reliable start in their games, with nothing for the returners in the first half an hour. Tsitsipas produced four comfortable holds for 4-3 and stepped in on the return in game eight.
Coric missed a forehand and faced two break points, hitting a backhand forced error on the first to drop serve and fall 5-3 behind. The Greek served for the set in game nine and experienced two break points after the Croat's valiant attack.
Tsitsipas denied them with winners and wrapped up the set with a drop shot winner for 6-3 in 38 minutes. With a boost on his side, Stefanos delivered another break in the second set's third game following a mighty forehand down the line winner.
He held at 15 for a 3-1 advantage and moved closer to the finish line. They served well in the next two games before Borna faced a break point at 2-4. He saved it with a beautiful drop shot winner and held to remain within one break deficit.
Tsitsipas squandered numerous game points in the next one and hit a loose forehand to drop serve and bring the rival back to 4-4. Instead of building on that, Coric went for a serve & volley in the ninth game, and Tsitsipas passed him with a solid return to grab a break and move 5-4 in front.
The Greek served for the victory in game ten and held at 15 with a service winner to emerge at the top and advance into the last four.