By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday May 22, 2021

 

Stefanos Tsitsipas topped Lorenzo Musetti in a three-set semi-final and will face Cameron Norrie in the final.

Photo Source: Alexandre Hergott / Open Parc

Stefanos Tsitsipas powered into the final at the Open Parc Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes and will face Cameron Norrie for the title.



Tsitsipas overcame a tough start and cruised to the finish line to lock down a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 victory over 19-year-old Italian Lorenzo Musetti.

"I think things got tough and I didn't freak out," Tsitsipas said. "I stayed calm and composed with my game. I think that with experience and knowledge of the past, I managed to escape and get a big lead in the third set where I was physically fresh."

Tsitsipas came away impressed with Musetti after meeting the rising Italian for the first time. The Italian teenager played extremely well in Lyon, defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime, Sebastian Korda and Aljaz Bedene to reach the semis.

"He's definitely a competitor that I will take seriously and a player that will be challenging me in the next couple of years," Tsitsipas said. "I see him at the top. I see no reason why he won't be there, but that also has to do with his mentality and the way he approaches his tennis and how much he works hard to get to the top of the game."

The Greek will bid for his seventh career title against Norrie, who is playing his second final on clay in 2021 (also Estoril) after coming through double duty on Saturday. Norrie topped France’s Arthur Rinderknech, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and then waltzed past Karen Khachanov 6-1 6-1 to book his third career final.

The World No.49 is seeking his first career title.

Tsitsipas, ranked No.5 and first in the ATP’s Race to Turin, has never faced Norrie before.