Serbian Filip Krajinovic shocked top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 at the Hamburg European Open on Friday to reach the semi-finals and claim a third Top 10 win of his career.
The sixth seed fought back after losing the first five games, claiming nine of the next 11 to advance in two hours and one minute. He won 76 per cent (31/41) of his first-service points against the World No. 4, using the drop shot to great effect to reach his first semi-final of the season.
“He started really well, really aggressively," Krajinovic said. "I could not find my game, could not find my serve, he was overpowering me. But at the end of the first set, I started to feel better, I was going for my shots. It paid off in the end. I am happy to beat Tsitsipas, he is an amazing player.
“I always play well here, and I hope I keep playing well here. [Laslo] Djere is an amazing player, so it is going to be a tight match next. It is going to be an interesting [match] tomorrow."
Krajinovic will next face countryman Laslo Djere after the Serbian eased past third-seeded Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-2, 6-2. Djere did not face a break point to improve to 4-1 in his ATP Head2Head Series against Basilashvili.
Tsitsipas made a fast start, winning the opening 11 points as he raced 3-0 ahead. He struck the ball with great depth, power and consistency as he did not commit an unforced error in the opening four games. The Greek pinned Krajinovic into his backhand corner with his heavy topspin throughout the set with great effect. Crucially, despite falling behind, Krajinovic did rally to close to 3-5 and gained momentum heading into the second set.
Krajinovic then began to play with more confidence as he found his range in the second set, using the drop shot on his backhand with great success throughout. As errors started to come from Tsitsipas’ racquet, a rejuvenated Krajinovic broke early to lead 3-1 and dominated the set with his aggressive play to level.
The World No. 44 then continued to strike the ball well in the deciding set as he fired an array of winners past Tsitsipas in a strong performance. He stepped into the court and dictated on his backhand, breaking again to seal his joint ever biggest win (Thiem 2020 Western & Southern Open).
[WATCH LIVE 1]
Second seed Pablo Carreno Busta also marched on as he defeated Dusan Lajovic 7-6(4), 6-3 in one hour and 38 minutes. The Spaniard, who lifted the trophy at the AnyTech365 Andalucia Open in Marbella (d. Munar) in April, hit four aces to advance.
The World No. 13 will compete in his fourth semi-final of the season after also also enjoying runs to the last four at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (l. to Nadal) and the Mallorca Championships (l. to Medvedev) this year. He will play either eighth seed Benoit Paire or Federico Delbonis.
The sixth seed fought back after losing the first five games, claiming nine of the next 11 to advance in two hours and one minute. He won 76 per cent (31/41) of his first-service points against the World No. 4, using the drop shot to great effect to reach his first semi-final of the season.
“He started really well, really aggressively," Krajinovic said. "I could not find my game, could not find my serve, he was overpowering me. But at the end of the first set, I started to feel better, I was going for my shots. It paid off in the end. I am happy to beat Tsitsipas, he is an amazing player.
“I always play well here, and I hope I keep playing well here. [Laslo] Djere is an amazing player, so it is going to be a tight match next. It is going to be an interesting [match] tomorrow."
Krajinovic will next face countryman Laslo Djere after the Serbian eased past third-seeded Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-2, 6-2. Djere did not face a break point to improve to 4-1 in his ATP Head2Head Series against Basilashvili.
Tsitsipas made a fast start, winning the opening 11 points as he raced 3-0 ahead. He struck the ball with great depth, power and consistency as he did not commit an unforced error in the opening four games. The Greek pinned Krajinovic into his backhand corner with his heavy topspin throughout the set with great effect. Crucially, despite falling behind, Krajinovic did rally to close to 3-5 and gained momentum heading into the second set.
Krajinovic then began to play with more confidence as he found his range in the second set, using the drop shot on his backhand with great success throughout. As errors started to come from Tsitsipas’ racquet, a rejuvenated Krajinovic broke early to lead 3-1 and dominated the set with his aggressive play to level.
The World No. 44 then continued to strike the ball well in the deciding set as he fired an array of winners past Tsitsipas in a strong performance. He stepped into the court and dictated on his backhand, breaking again to seal his joint ever biggest win (Thiem 2020 Western & Southern Open).
[WATCH LIVE 1]
Second seed Pablo Carreno Busta also marched on as he defeated Dusan Lajovic 7-6(4), 6-3 in one hour and 38 minutes. The Spaniard, who lifted the trophy at the AnyTech365 Andalucia Open in Marbella (d. Munar) in April, hit four aces to advance.
The World No. 13 will compete in his fourth semi-final of the season after also also enjoying runs to the last four at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (l. to Nadal) and the Mallorca Championships (l. to Medvedev) this year. He will play either eighth seed Benoit Paire or Federico Delbonis.