Tsitsipas reaches ATP Finals semis after Nadal comeback

Stefas Tsitsipas coasted past defending champion Alexander Zverev in straight sets to vance to last four of ATP Finals after Rafael Nal came back from de to keep his title hopes alive. Greek tyro, 21, broke his big-serving German opponent three times in Group Andre Agassi match to seal a 6-3, 6-2 win and vance to semi-finals at London's O2 Arena. straightforward victory, which took Tsitsipas's he-to-he record against Zverev to 4-1, was in sharp contrast to earlier match, in which Nal produced an astonishing comeback to beat Daniil Medvedev.

Spaniard was on brink of defeat when facing a match point at 5-1 down in deciding set but stormed back to win 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4). "Today is one of those days that one out of 1,000 you win and it happened today," said a delighted Nal, top seed in London. Spaniard said earning a break back in deciding set infused him with confidence that he could battle back. "When you have first break, 5-3, n you are only one break away," he ded. "And I kw from my personal experience how tough it is to close out matches, especially when you have two breaks in front and you lose first one. From that moment I thought I can have a chance." 

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Both players were under intense pressure after losing ir opening round-robin matches on Monday Nal is on a double mission in London -- aiming to win end-of-season event for first time in his illustrious career and to secure year-end number one spot. Russia's Medvedev, who has won two Masters titles this season, took first set on a tie-break to leave Nal staring down barrel. Spanish veteran broke his 23-year-old opponent in first game of second set, repeating trick to level match.

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But Medvedev was quickly into his stride in decider, sprinting to net to dispatch a cross-court backhand past his opponent and earn a double break. Nal, who came into tournament under an injury cloud, fended off a match point on his own serve and n, roared on by crowd, broke Medvedev twice to level. match went to a tie-break and Medvedev was first to falter, hitting a regulation forehand wide to hand Nal two match points and he grabbed opportunity. Spaniard has qualified 15 straight times for ATP Finals but has never clinched title, won a record six times by Roger Federer and five times by vak Djokovic, who is battling Nal for number one ranking.

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Tsitsipas pounces

In later match Tsitsipas grabbed contest by scruff of neck at end of first set, breaking Zverev in eighth game and served out for set. Greek n broke in opening game and fifth game of second set as Zverev struggled to produce same level of tennis that helped him beat Nal on Monday. "I was really surprised by my performance today," said sixth seed. "I did everything right and once again it was t just me out re but a whole bunch of people, excited people that came to support me. It was a crew situation." Dominic Thiem has alrey secured one of qualification spots in Group Bjorn Borg, leaving Federer and Djokovic to scrap it out on Thursday for remaining place from four-man pool. 

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