Tsitsipas Battles Into First Final of Year in Gstaad

Stefanos Tsitsipas has secured his spot in the final at the EFG Swiss Open in Gstaad after a hard-fought victory over Aleksandr Shevchenko. The three-set battle ended with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, marking a significant return to form for the former world No. 3. Tsitsipas dominated the closing stages of the match with his forehand, recording 20 winners in total, with 13 of those occurring during the decisive final set.

This result stands as the first clay-court final appearance for Tsitsipas in over two years. The elevation in Gstaad played a distinct role in the match, with the player noting that the thin air helps his game and allows his shots to travel with more impact. Adaptation to the specific bounce of the clay surface proved critical as he navigated the nearly two-hour contest.

Looking toward the championship round, Tsitsipas prepares to face Raphael Collignon. The Belgian player earned his place in the final by staging a comeback against Juan Manuel Cerundolo. Despite facing a match point while trailing in the second set, Collignon rallied to win in three sets. This victory makes him the second Belgian player to reach the final in Gstaad history.

Tsitsipas enters the final match seeking his 13th career title. His last trophy came at the Dubai championship in 2025. With both finalists coming off physically taxing semifinal matches, the upcoming final represents a fresh start for both competitors. Tsitsipas noted that the nature of the final round demands full physical and mental commitment, and he plans to apply pressure from the first serve.

Fans of the sport will watch this first-time meeting between the two competitors with interest. The match demonstrates the shifting landscape of the professional tour, where seasoned veterans face rising talent in high-altitude conditions. The winner will claim the Gstaad trophy and vital ranking points as the season progresses through the summer schedule.