Chilean Alejandro Tabilo outplayed Chinese Zhizhen Zhang this Wednesday, whom he defeated in two sets (6-3 and 6-4).to reach the semifinals of the 1,000 Masters in Rome, the first in a tournament of this category in his entire career.
Tabilo’s love affair with the Foro Italico is a story that, for now, seems to have no end. The Chilean did not disappoint in the golden opportunity that the Italian clay tournament offered to both contenders, because they have never made it to the semifinals of the Masters 1,000. Zhang has experience in the quarterfinals he played in Madrid in 2023 but Tabilo is making his debut. His ceiling so far is in the round of 16.
He didn’t care too much. He seems, once again, to be a veteran in these rounds, a player who used to fight to get the best four in a tournament. He dominated Novak Djokovic, number 1 and favorite, in the third round, signing the most important victory of his career, put him on the map; In the round of 16 she successfully outlasted Russian Karen Khachanov and her forehands; and in the quarterfinals he played his role as favorite against world number 56. His designation tournament.
Because he didn’t give a choice to Zhang, who had a great time dealing with the new sensation on the circuit. They did not drop a set before the quarterfinals and will reach the semifinals with a clean slate. All games 2-0.
The feeling that came from the beginning was one of absolute superiority, that his pulse would not tremble. as was the case with Zhang, who weakened at crucial moments. The Chilean broke the Chinese’s serve to lead 4-2 in the first set, a break he confirmed on his serve to make it 5-2 and leave the first bid in sight for sentencing.
Zhang had two break points at 5-3, but Tabilo was a rock and didn’t miss the chance to win the set, needing just two balls.
Only 37 minutes passed. Tabilo was one set away from staying on cloud nine and Zhang was even more nervous. The pressure began to take hold, he was more submissive from serve and became frustrated with Tabilo’s tenacity, breaking in the first game to gain a major advantage.
In the second set, Zhang needed medical help for problems with his left leg on two occasions.upsets that ended any hope of a comeback against his rival, a deserved winner with a final ‘ace’ in which he sealed the best victory of his career.
Winner of only one ATP tournament, the 250 in Auckland, also on clay, his specialty, and has the previous best result in his career in a round of 16 in the Masters 1,000, surpassed after the victory in the Italian capital, Tabilo . earned the right to dream. For his good tennis and for his confidence.
In the semifinals a rival awaits, emerging from the duel between the German Alexander ‘Sascha’ Zverev and the American Taylor Fritz.
With his 6 ATP Challenger titles, the world number 32, who enters the top-30 with the points update, will play his first Roland Garros in a few weeks. In 2020, before the pandemic, Tabilo participated in his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open. Right now he was thinking only of Rome, his designated tournament.
Source: La Verdad
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