TennisSection previews the 2021 Rotterdam Open as Stefanos Tsitsipas (2) meets Andrey Rublev (4) in the Semi-Finals on Saturday, March 6th 2021.
These two always provide great battles when they meet on the tennis court, with these to being some of the best young rivals at the moment in the ATP Tour. However, only one can come out on top. This match will definitely provide us with some hard hitting drama and it will not be won easily that is for sure. Will it be the favourite Stefanos Tsitsipas (4/5), or will it be the lower ranked player, Andrey Rublev (1/1) to book their spot in the Final on Sunday?
Stefanos Tsitsipas (2) came through an extremely tough battle in the Quarter-Finals, beating Karen Khachanov in 3 sets, 4-6/6-3/7-5. Tsitsipas started the match quite slow, going down a break pretty quickly in the first set, and struggling to get himself back into the set after that. However, one thing we have learnt form Tsitsipas in recent times is that he is never out of a match until it is over. Khachanov did play the best match I have seen him play in a while, and I am sure this match, although he lost, will give him the confidence in his ability to challenge top 10 players. Stefanos is something else when he is playing at his best, and once the second set started, that is exactly what we got. Can Stefanos Tsitsipas utilize the momentum gained through this incredible match win to give him the edge coming into this Semi-Final?
Andrey Rublev (4) put on a resiliant display in his Quarter-Final encounter, beating the very experienced and in form Jeremy Chardy in three tight sets 7-6(2)/(2)6-7/6-4. Jeremy Chardy pushed Rublev as much as he could, but Rublev was able to maintain his composure and play the big points extremely well. This was a good match for Rublev to get under his belt, as it is the most he has been pushed by an opponent this week. Rublev is now on an 18-match winning streak at ATP 500 level, and he will be definitely looking to win his 4thATP 500 tournament in a row. Rublev is the man of the moment on the ATP Tour in my opinion, leading the match wins for the season with an 11-1 W/L record in 2021. Can Rublev continue his run of dominance as he comes up against a great rival in Stefanos Tsitsipas?
These two players have met 6 times before, with the head to head standing tied at 3-3. Every time they have met, they have put on a show for everyone. The last time they met was towards the end of 2020 at the Nitto ATP Finals, where Stefanos Tsitsipas won in 3 extremely tight sets 6-1/4-6/7-6(6), saving a match point in the final set. Tsitsipas has won their last 2 encounters, however, I believe that Rublev comes into this match with an edge over the No.2 seed. Tsitsipas was pushed extremely hard in his last two matches here in Rotterdam, and I am sure this will hurt his energy levels. On the other hand, Rublev seems to be in great physical shape. When Rublev is fit, is confident, and is playing at this ATP 500 level, it is hard to stop him.
Tsitsipas is not able to play his flamboyant style of tennis when he meets Rublev, and I think that he will not be able to get the job done here on Saturday. Rublev will extent his winning streak to 19-matches and book his spot in the Final of the 2021 Rotterdam Open.
Free Tennis Preview and Prediction: Andrey Rublev to win (1/1).
