NERVY TENNIS! Stefanos Tsitsipas Stunned by Reilly Opelka After Getting Point Penalty at National Bank Open 2021 Semifinal

Greek tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas was up against American player Reilly Opelka in the semifinal of the National Bank Open 2021 in Toronto. The match went the distance and in the end, it was the American big guy who prevailed. He won the match 6-7(2), 7-6(4), 6-4. 

Set 1: Stefanos Tsitsipas gets off to a flyer 

In the opening set, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Reilly Opelka were both playing with high accuracy. There was no room for error as both players were playing with real intent. 

As the set progressed, things progressed in a similar manner. The American player got two opportunities to break the serve of the Greek star. However, he couldn’t convert any of them.

In the end, the set had to be decided by a tiebreaker. Opelka’s form dipped a bit and Stefanos capitalized on the opportunity. He went on to win the set 7-6(2). 

Aug 10, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece reacts after a point against Ugo Humbert of France (not pictured) at Aviva Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Set 2: Reilly Opelka joins the party 

Although Tsitsipas won the previous set, Opelka didn’t lose momentum and kept serving with efficiency. It was a similar display to the previous set. 

Both players were not showing any signs of losing the momentum and the set was on serve. In the end, as the previous set, this one too had to be decided in a tiebreaker. 

However, this time it was the Greek star who lost momentum, and the big American player capitalized on the gap and clinched the tiebreaker and set 7-6(4). 

Aug 9, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Reilly Opelka of the United States serves to Nick Kyrgios of Australia (not pictured) at Aviva Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Set 3: The American comes through the finishing line 

Opelka leveled things up and things began to work towards his liking. On the other hand, Tsitsipas started losing focus and was registering many unforced errors. 

During the deciding set, it was the American player who got the first and only break of the match. In the end, the one break was enough for him to see through the match.

After two hours and 32 minutes, it was Opelka who won the set 6-4 and the match to book a spot in the final of the National Bank Open 2021. We wish him the best of luck for the final.

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