Stefanos Tsitsipas is into his first final for 16 months in Gstaad after overcoming some tricky spells in results in recent times.
The former Australian Open finalist will be hoping to rejoin the winners circle on Sunday in Switzerland when he takes on Raphael Collignon.
Tsitsipas defeated Aleksandr Shevchenko 6-4 3-6 6-3 to reach the Gstaad final which is his 31st of his career.
Speaking after the match Tsitsipas acknowledged that it was a tough semi-final in Switzerland, “It was a great fight against Aleksandr,” Tsitsipas told the ATP website.
“I think we played an incredible match from both sides. It’s unfortunate there has to be a winner at the end. I thought both of us deserved the victory.”
Tsitsipas will face Collignon in the final who is into the first ATP tour final of his career after he defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo 1-6 7-6(5) 7-5 in a dramatic semi-final.
Ahead of the final Tsitsipas is expecting another brutal contest, “We’ve both had long matches,” Tsitsipas admitted in what will be their first meeting against each other.
“We both really want it. We’ve come to the end, the two of us, so I feel like no one wants to go out there and not give it their all. It’s one last breath. I want to get out there and take the court by storm.”
Meanwhile another player who’s form has dropped recently gets a chance at an ATP title with Andrey Rublev looking to claim the Bastad title on Sunday.
The top seed overcame Alejandro Tabilo 6-4 4-6 6-4 to set up a final with Italian Luciano Darderi.
After the match Rublev admitted he is happy to be back in the final in Sweden and is expecting a tough final in Sweden, “I feel great. I feel happy to be back in the final here in Bastad,” Rublev told the ATP website.
“It’s tough to describe the emotions now. I just feel grateful for another opportunity to play in the final here. He’s [Darderi] a great player. He’s playing better and better. It’s not going to be easy, for sure.”
Rublev leads the head-to-head 1-0 heading into Sunday’s meeting.
