Reilly Opelka battled past Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 after 2 hours and 34 minutes to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 final. Opelka had already reached the semifinals at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome last May before losing to Rafael Nadal. He hit 16 aces to score his first top 5 win in his fifth attempt.
Both Opelka and Tsitsipas held on their serve en route to the tie-break with no breaks of serve. Opelka earned the only two break points in the third game, but he was unable to convert it. Tsitsipas earned two mini-breaks to win the tie-break 7-2.
Opelka held his serve after two deuces in the 11th game of the second set. Tsitsipas held serve to force the set to the tie-break. Opelka got three mini-breaks to win the second tie-break 7-4.
In the third set Tsitsipas earned his first break point after 2 hours and 17 minutes at 2-3, but Opelka saved it to hold serve. Opelka earned the only break in the seventh game, when he forced Tsitsipas into an error. Opelka held serve twice to seal the win.
“I played great. These courts suit my game. It is no coincidence that John Isner is the other semifinalist. We are the best servers in the tornament, so for us both to be here, it says something about the conditions”, said Opelka.
Opelka could face either his compatriot John Isner or Danil Medvedev. If Isner beats Medvedev, It will be the first time two US players have reached the Toronto final in Toronto since André Agass beat Pete Sampras in 1995.
