When Stefanos Tsitsipas broke at 1:00 in the first set against Pierre-Hugues Herbert, it was clear that the Greek wouldn't need much more to win the first set. But that was without counting on the level of play that the Frenchman has been offering since the beginning of the week. He had to go to the net, forcing the world number 5 to shoot passes and lobs, and Herbert managed to make up for his break point and win the tiebreak. At 6-6 in the latter, the Alsatian, who is ranked 93rd in the ATP rankings, volleyed into the net to give his opponent set point, and he went on to win the first set (7-6).
In the second set, the servers hold their ground until 4-4. As at the end of the first set, the Greek player gets tense in the money time and gives up his set. At 5-4, Herbert does not let his chance go by and equalises at 1 set to 1 (6-4).
P2H, playing at a level well above his ranking, broke his opponent from the start. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to confirm and allowed Tsitsipas to equalize at 1-1. At 2-2, the Frenchman leads 15-40 on the serve of the two-time defending champion. The first break point is saved by Tsitsipas but on the second, Herbert hits a backhand volley down the line and breaks for the second time in the set. He doesn't make the same mistake as in the previous break, remains "solid" on serve and confirms to lead 4-2. And as good news never comes alone, Pierre-Hugues Herbert once again breaks his opponent's serve. Trailing 5-2, Tsitsipas dropped the match. Pierre-Hugues Herbert wins 6-7 6-4 6-2 in 2h05 of play.
In the semi-finals, the Frenchman, who is participating in the tournament for the fourth time, will face either Ugo Humbert or Arthur Rinderknech. Whatever happens, there will be a Frenchman in the final.
