Madrid Open: Tsitsipas ‘really happy’ over Nadal win FREE for news on the biggest players and tournaments SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Tsitsipas claimed a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 triumph over the Spaniard in the Madrid Open semi finals to set up a showdown with Novak Djokovic for the title today. It was the first time Tsitsipas had ever bested Rafael Nadal at the fourth time of asking, having lost in straight sets in their last meeting at the Australian Open in January. And in doing so, Tsitsipas - at 20 years and nine months of age - became the youngest player ever to beat Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. A three-time ATP title winner, Tsitsipas beat Djokovic at the Canadian Open in Toronto last year in a thrilling 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 triumph. Tsitsipas also defeated Federer in the fourth round in Melbourne at the start of 2019 before he went on to lose to Nadal in the semi finals. The Next Gen star completed his trio of high-profile victories with a clay-court win over Nadal, the man who is dubbed ‘The King of Clay’ with an unparalleled 57 titles on the red dirt. And speaking of his latest top-10 triumph, which puts him into a second Masters 1000 final after losing in the Rogers Cup final to Nadal last year, Tsitsipas was overawed. "It means the world. I'm really happy that I proved myself today. I played one of my best games this year," Tsitsipas said. Stefanos Tsitsipas has beaten all of tennis' big three Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Nadal in three sets in Madrid Stefanos Tsitsipas claimed a first win over Nadal in their fourth meeting Rafael Nadal loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas breaks incredible Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic record Rafael Nadal loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas breaks incredible Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic record "I'm really happy that I'm fighting, I'm in the zone. I'm enjoying tennis at its fullest potential. “It's really nice to be able to play this way. Today's victory is just an unbelievable feeling. “I’m really happy that I managed to keep my nerves down and fight back. “Probably one of the toughest victories I’ve had in my life. “The mental discipline and being tough and being decisive in all those crucial moments I think was the key. “I had to take all those opportunities. Rafa is a fighter. He doesn't give you free points. You've got to fight and give your best on every single point.” Stefanos Tsitsipas is looking for a first ever Masters 1000 success in Madrid Stefanos Tsitsipas is not even 21 yet<doc-sep>Novak Djokovic will play Stefanos Tsitsipas for the Madrid Open title after the 20-year-old Greek stunned Rafael Nadal on Saturday to win a thrilling semi-final 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 on his fourth match point. Nadal had been a clear favourite to face Djokovic in Sunday’s showpiece at Caja Magica but the 17-time Grand Slam champion extended his stuttering build-up to the French Open with another surprise defeat. Tsitsipas has now beaten Nadal, Djokovic and Roger Federer in his young career. Details soon.<doc-sep>
Tsitsipas, 20, had never won a set in his previous three meetings against claycourt specialist and 11-times French Open champion Nadal, but the Greek drew first blood by saving a break point to hold in the 10th game and take the first set. ATP Belgrade Djokovic overcomes lapse to book spot in Belgrade final 11 MINUTES AGO Nadal, who had breezed past the youngster in the Barcelona Open final last season and this year's Australian Open semi-finals, won the second set and looked to have the physical edge over his opponent, who has also been playing doubles in Madrid. But Tsitsipas, the Next Gen ATP finals champion, came back stronger in the decider with impressive court coverage and broke Nadal to take a 5-2 lead although he could not immediately serve out for the match. He earned repeated match points in the next game when Nadal was serving and after the Spaniard had dug deep to save three of them he could only find the net on the fourth. Tsitsipas dropped his racket and put his hands to his face to savour his first victory over the titan of claycourt tennis, completing a clean sweep of wins over Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer in less than 10 months. Nadal, meanwhile, was left reflecting on a third straight semi-final exit on clay after losing to Fabio Fognini in the Monte Carlo Masters and Dominic Thiem in the Barcelona Open. Roland-Garros After mixed clay season, can Djokovic really 'peak' in Paris? A DAY AGO