Second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has extended his winning streak to nine matches in a row as he defeated 11th seed Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell.

The Greek saved all four break points he faced as he improves his record to 9-0 on the year on clay, winning all 17 sets he has contested. He will play in the final here for the second time after finishing as runner-up in 2018.

Second seed solid on day to reach final

Tsitsipas was made to work hard for his early holds as he saved a pair of break points in the third and fifth games to take a 3-2 lead. He then failed to capitalize on a break opportunity in the sixth game afer missing a forehand.

He did get another look on the Italian's next service game, holding triple break point. After Sinner saved the first two, a wild backhand gave Tsitsipas a 5-3 lead and he served out the set, a volley winner on set point giving him the lead.

Tsitsipas hits a forehand during his semifinal victory over Sinner/Photo: Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell
Tsitsipas hits a forehand during his semifinal victory over Sinner/Photo: Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell

After three routine holds to begin the second set, the second-seeded Greek had to save two break points in a marathon 16-point game to level the score at 2-2.

Again holding triple break point, Tsitsipas was unable to convert on the first two, but broke when Sinner hit a forehand into the net on the third chance as the Greek went in front 3-2. He broke to close out the match when the Italian again missed on a forehand.

 

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