“It’s one last breath” - Stefanos Tsitsipas breaks 16-month drought with emotional message after reaching Gstaad final

Saturday, 18 July 2026 at 22:00

Stefanos Tsitsipas has ended his longest wait for an ATP Tour final since becoming a regular contender at the top of the game. The Greek reached the championship match at the Swiss Open Gstaad after defeating Aleksandr Shevchenko 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the semi-finals, securing his first final appearance in 16 months.

The victory marked another step forward for Tsitsipas, who has endured a difficult period after years as one of the leading players on tour. The former world No. 3 had not reached an ATP final since winning the title in Dubai in March 2025, a gap that represented an unusual drought for a player who had reached finals consistently throughout his career.

Since making his first ATP final at the 2018 Barcelona Open, Tsitsipas had never gone more than a year without competing for a title. His run in Gstaad represents his 31st career final, where he will look to improve his current record of 12 wins and 18 defeats in championship matches.

Tsitsipas needed three sets for the third consecutive match in Gstaad, overcoming Shevchenko in a physical battle that tested his ability to recover after losing control in the second set. The Greek raised his level when it mattered most, producing a dominant serving performance in the decider by winning 11 of 12 first-serve points in the final set.

Tsitsipas embraces pressure ahead of Gstaad final

After the match, Tsitsipas praised Shevchenko’s performance and admitted that the semi-final could have gone either way, highlighting the quality of the contest between both players.

“It was a great fight against Aleksandr,” Tsitsipas said to ATP Tour after his victory. “I think we played an incredible match from both sides. It’s unfortunate there has to be a winner at the end. I thought both of us deserved the victory.”

The Greek will now face Raphael Collignon in the final, with the Belgian reaching his first ATP Tour championship match after saving a match point against Juan Manuel Cerundolo in a dramatic comeback victory.

Tsitsipas knows the opportunity represents another important moment as he attempts to rebuild momentum and return to the level that previously made him a Grand Slam finalist and a consistent presence among the world’s best players. “We’ve both had long matches,” Tsitsipas said about the upcoming final. “We both really want it. We’ve come to the end, the two of us, so I feel like no one wants to go out there and not give it their all. It’s one last breath.”

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The Greek added that he wants to approach the final with an aggressive mindset as he looks for his first title of the season. “I want to get out there and take the court by storm,” Tsitsipas said.

A victory in Gstaad would give Tsitsipas his 13th ATP title (6th in clay-courts) and his first trophy since Dubai 2025, while also marking another positive step after a challenging stretch that saw him searching for consistency.

Stefanos Tsitsipas – Clay-Court Finals

Year	Tournament	Tier	Opponent	Result	Score
2018	Barcelona Open	ATP 500	Rafael Nadal	Loss	2-6, 1-6
2019	Estoril Open	ATP 250	Pablo Cuevas	Win	6-3, 7-6(7-4)
2019	Madrid Open	ATP Masters 1000	Novak Djokovic	Loss	3-6, 4-6
2020	Hamburg European Open	ATP 500	Andrey Rublev	Loss	4-6, 6-3, 5-7
2021	Monte-Carlo Masters	ATP Masters 1000	Andrey Rublev	Win	6-3, 6-3
2021	Barcelona Open	ATP 500	Rafael Nadal	Loss	4-6, 7-6(8-6), 5-7
2021	Lyon Open	ATP 250	Cameron Norrie	Win	6-3, 6-3
2021	Roland Garros	Grand Slam	Novak Djokovic	Loss	7-6(8-6), 6-2, 3-6, 2-6, 4-6
2022	Monte-Carlo Masters	ATP Masters 1000	Alejandro Davidovich Fokina	Win	6-3, 7-6(7-3)
2022	Italian Open	ATP Masters 1000	Novak Djokovic	Loss	0-6, 6-7(5-7)
2023	Barcelona Open	ATP 500	Carlos Alcaraz	Loss	3-6, 4-6
2024	Monte-Carlo Masters	ATP Masters 1000	Casper Ruud	Win	6-1, 6-4
2024	Barcelona Open	ATP 500	Casper Ruud	Loss	5-7, 3-6
2026	Swiss Open Gstaad	ATP 250	Raphaël Collignon	Pending	—

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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