The Telegraph Two of the surprise packages of this clay-court season have been British – initially Dan Evans, who made a deep run in Monte Carlo, and more lately Cameron Norrie, who played his second final in three weeks on Sunday. Unfortunately, Norrie wasn’t able to land a maiden ATP title in Lyon. But then he was up against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has been the dominant force of 2021 outside the slams, and now stands at No 1 in the table of most rankings points gained since January 1. Nevertheless, it had been a hugely creditable effort for Norrie to go this far, especially when you consider that he took out top seed Dominic Thiem on Thursday, and then trounced big-hitting Russian Karen Khachanov in Saturday’s semi-final, losing only two games in the process. Norrie has come to clay late in his career, but it feels like this is developing into his favourite surface. He has one of the heaviest left-handed forehands in the game, loaded with top-spin, and uses it like a miniature version of Rafael Nadal. The result has been a tally of 14 wins and only four losses since he began his European clay-court swing in Barcelona. So while the French Open, which starts next Sunday, has traditionally been a graveyard of British hopes, there are reasons to hope that this year’s event could deliver some more positive results. Norrie’s previous final in Estoril had been a nervewracking affair which he eventually lost on a deciding-set tie-break to the more experienced Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Sunday was more straightforward for Tsitsipas, who needed only 69 minutes to hammer home a 6-3, 6-3 victory. It was Tsitsipas’ second title of the clay-court sequence, after he won Monte Carlo in mid-April, taking out Evans in the semi-final along the way. He has become a serious contender to upset the establishment – specifically Nadal and Novak Djokovic – at Roland Garros over the next few weeks. “I felt in good shape from the beginning of the tournament,” said Tsitsipas afterwards. “I am proud of today’s match, I knew it would be a difficult one against Cameron, who has been showing great tennis this week. He has been winning against good players and showing what the left hand can do on clay. “It was not an easy match today. I had to handle the nerves and I am proud of my performance and the way I stayed focused towards my goal.” On this year’s results, meanwhile, both Evans and Norrie stand among the world’s 20 most successful men. Evans is at No 16 and Norrie No 14. The next challenge for them both is to convert that ATP Tour form into a deep run at a major.<doc-sep>Madrid Open: Novak Djokovic reaches final of competition 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. The Spaniard eased into the final four in the capital of his homeland by overcoming Stan Wawrinka 6-1, 6-2 yesterday in the quarter finals. Rafael Nadal is looking to win his sixth Madrid Open title and claim his 34th Masters 1000 success in the process. The 32-year-old has yet to win a tournament in 2019 having, surprisingly, fallen at the semi-final stage at his past two clay-court events. Nadal swept four of an available five clay titles last year, only missing out in Madrid where he lost to Dominic Thiem, but having only returned from injury in Monte Carlo is still just returning to his peak form. The 17-time Grand Slam champion faces young Greek Tsitsipas knowing that a victory would pit him against either world No 1 Novak Djokovic or Thiem, who he also lost to in the Barcelona Open last month. Having already defeated up-and-coming talents Felix Auger Aliassime and Frances Tiafoe in Madrid this week, Nadal will hope to claim another Next Gen scalp but he is aware of Tsitsipas’ talents. The 20-year-old has never beaten Nadal in three career meetings but defeated defending Madrid champion Alexander Zverev in the quarter finals and is fresh from a win at the Estoril Open earlier this month. Nadal said of Tsitsipas: “He’s also a young player. He has a lot of potential, a lot of energy. He’s playing well. Rafael Nadal takes on Stefanos Tsitsipas later today Rafael Nadal is looking for a sixth Madrid Open success Rafael Nadal eased past Stan Wawrinka in the quarter finals of the Madrid Open Stefanos Tsitsipas has yet to beat Rafael Nadal It is a good test for me. He has a lot of confidence. Rafael Nadal “He won last week in Estoril and he’s already won a lot of matches in a row. So, it’s going to be one of these matches that is an opportunity. “It is a good test for me. I’m facing some of the best players. He has a lot of confidence. “He’s been playing well recently and it is an opportunity to test my level of game and to confirm those good feelings that I have had today on the court. “You need tough matches to be able to measure yourself, to be able to test yourself, to compete and to fight for every single point and to keep on finding the things that I might need. Stefanos Tsitsipas awaits for Nadal in the final four Rafael Nadal could face Novak Djokovic in the Madrid Open final<doc-sep>The German said something weird when talking about Stefanos Alexander Zverev doesn’t seem to be a huge fan of his upcoming opponent: Stefanos Tsitsipas. The German and the Greek are going to square off in the quarters in Madrid, and last year Zverev wasn’t very diplomatic after he lost in quarters to Stefanos 3-6 7-6 (11) 6-4 not to give credit to Tsitsipas for his win. The German commented “I don’t think he played that well. I think the match was absolutely pathetic on all levels. I’m very honest with you guys. Today was an absolute pathetic match I don’t even think he played well.” (see article) Was Zverev deriding Tsitsipas? During the press conference preceding their clash in Madrid, Sascha hinted that Stefanos is so high in the rankings only because he plays a lot of tournament to comment “Tsitsipas is one of the best players in the world. He plays almost every week. Many people are looking forward to that match.” Head to head Stefano Tsitsipas vs. Sascha Zverev The H2H between Stefanos and Sascha is 1-all. This will be fun. Prediction, odds and live streaming The pick for Tennis Tonic is Tsitsipas that should win in 3 sets. As per the initial odds, Tsitsipas is the pick to win this match. Tsitsipas -> 1.61 Zverev -> 2.30 Click here to see the updated quotes and live streaming (only selected countries - USA excluded). To be able to watch live streaming bet365, a funded account is required or you need to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. 18+ BeGambleAware. Here where top tennis events are broadcasted or streamed online (ATP, WTA). At the challenger level, there will be free live streaming on Challenger TV.<doc-sep>Novak Djokovic of Serbia beat Dominic Thiem of Austria to reach the finals of the Madrid Open. The Match Thiem had a very good start and seemed to be carrying the momentum from his semifinal win against Federer. He broke Djokovic serve in the 3rd game of the first set (2-1) to take an early lead. Thiem, however, could not sustain the lead for long as Djokovic showed incredible defence to break Thiem’s serve in the 6th game (3-3). Again, the Serbian struggled to hold his serve against some skillful tennis from the world no.5 in the 9th game of the match but managed to save it (5-4). After that, both the players held their serve and the game went into a tiebreak. It proved to be an easy task for Djokovic who won the set 7-6(2). Both Djokovic and Thiem held their serve until the 5th game in the second set. The 6th game was a tough one for Djokovic as he struggled to keep his serve and was broken on the third break point in the game. Djokovic, however, was back in business breaking Thiem’s serve twice in the set to lead in the set (6-5). Djokovic had the chance to win the set but double-faulted to give away his service and to take the set in a tiebreak. Djokovic prevailed over Thiem in the tie break to win the set and the match 7-6(2) 7-6(4). With this win, Djokovic reached his third Madrid Open final beating Thiem in two hours and 22 minutes. This is the first final for Djokovic this season after winning the Australian Open. Djokovic will now play either Rafael Nadal or Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.<doc-sep>
In the battle of the most promising youngsters on the Tour, the 8th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas took down the 3rd seed and defending champion Alexander Zverev 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 in two hours and ten minutes for the second straight win over the German. The first came last year in Toronto when Stefanos played in the first Masters 1000 semi-final and this will be his second, passing Daniil Medvedev with 26 ATP wins to become the Tour leader in 2019. The Greek won four points more in an intense and high-quality clash, erasing four out of five break points to put the struggling German under pressure and prevailing with three breaks from eight opportunities to set the duel against Rafael Nadal or Stan Wawrinka. Zverev played incredible tennis here a year ago for one of the most dominant Masters 1000 runs, especially on clay, but he is miles from that level this year despite a solid effort here in Madrid, losing steam in the decider to drop a lot of points and leave the top-4 for the first time since November. Stefanos delivered easier holds in the first set and broke at love at 5-5 when Alexander netted an easy forehand. The Greek closed the opener with a hold in the next game after another error from the German who had to raise the level in the rest of the encounter to stand a chance of title defense. The second set offered seven good holds and some excellent points on both sides that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats before Zverev took charge, delivering one winner after another for 12 of the last 13 points and the set. Alexander broke at love in game eight and secured the set with a forehand crosscourt winner that gave him a massive momentum before the start of the decider. He had his chances there in the opening games, wasting three break points at 1-1 and hitting a double fault in the next game to hand the serve to Stefanos who clinched the triumph with another break in game eight for the place in the last four and one of his best results on clay.