Zverev rallies to down Tsitsipas, books title clash with Rublev

Alexander Zverev returns to Stefanos Tsitsipas during their semis on Saturday. Pic/AP; PTI

Alexander Zverev came from two breaks down in the third set to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 on Saturday and reach the final of the WTA and ATP Cincinnati Masters. The German, who briefly left the court to vomit in the final set as he stepped up his fightback in front of a full crowd, will take a 4-0 record into Sunday's final with Andrey Rublev.

The Russian fourth seed surprised World No. 2 compatriot Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. World No. 7 Rublev had never won so much as a set in four previous losses to Medvedev, top seed in the prestigious hardcourt tournament that serves as a tuneup for the US Open.

Tsitsipas

Zverev also turned a corner this week, having never won a match in six previous Cincinnati editions. The German said he'd begun to feel his stomach trouble coming on in the second set, and he was seen briefly by a doctor who gave him some tablets in the third. Immediately, things began to jell for the Tokyo Olympic gold medallist. "After I got the first break [of the third set] back I thought I had chances. He was not serving bombs and I was always in the rallies. I started to play more aggressively."

Zverev got worked up at the end of the first set when Tsitsipas left the court with his full bag of gear, presumably to change clothes. His absence lasted an infuriating eight minutes as Zverev complained to the chair umpire, indicating he thought Tsitsipas could use the break to receive coaching via text. Tsitsipas tried to take another break after winning the second set but was informed he had used up his one break.

Tsitsipas defends bathroom breaks

Stefanos Tsitsipas worked up a sweat in his two-and-three-quarter-hour loss to Alexander Zverev in Saturday's semi-final at the Cincinnati Masters. And the glistening Greek can't understand complaints about his leaving the court to change clothes. "Nothing crazy. It's not astrophysics," Tsitsipas said. "I'm heading towards the locker room to go change my T-shirt. I don't think it would be very nice if I change shorts on the court in front of everybody. I'm a person that sweats a bit more than others. I think it's acceptable, it's just how it works for me."

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