Preview ATP Swiss Open Gstaad Final | Stefanos Tsitsipas seeks title return as Collignon chases breakthrough crown

Sunday, 19 July 2026 at 09:20

Tsitsipas raises his right arm celebrating a victory in Monte Carlo

The Swiss Open Gstaad final will feature an intriguing contrast between experience and breakthrough ambition, as former World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas takes on Belgian rising star Raphaël Collignon for the ATP 250 clay-court title on Sunday in Gstaad, Switzerland.

Tsitsipas reached his first tour-level final in 16 months after defeating Aleksandr Shevchenko 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals, while Collignon survived a dramatic battle against sixth seed Juan Manuel Cerundolo, saving a match point before completing a 1-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 comeback.

The Greek arrived in Switzerland searching for answers after a difficult season that saw him fall to No. 85 in the world, his lowest ranking in seven years. However, Gstaad has offered signs of a return to form, with Tsitsipas winning three consecutive three-set matches to reach his first final since his title run in Dubai 2025, 16 months ago.

For Tsitsipas, the final represents an opportunity to confirm that his clay-court level remains among the best on tour. For Collignon, it is a chance to turn a breakthrough week into the biggest achievement of his career.

Stefanos Tsitsipas seeks first title since Dubai comeback

Stefanos Tsitsipas enters the Gstaad final as the more experienced player, but also as someone looking to rebuild confidence after a challenging period. The 27-year-old Greek, a former World No. 3 and 12-time tour-level champion, arrived in Switzerland ranked No. 85, his lowest position since 2018.

The week in Gstaad has provided a much-needed turnaround. Tsitsipas defeated Ignacio Buse, Jerome Kym, Arthur Rinderknech and Aleksandr Shevchenko on his way to the final, needing three sets in three consecutive matches. Against Shevchenko, he recovered after losing the second set and produced one of his strongest serving performances of the tournament in the decider.

Stefanos Tsitsipas touches his ear and encourages the crowd.

Stefanos Tsitsipas will play the 31st final of his career and first after 16 months since his last final back in March 2025, winning the title in Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Tsitsipas won 11 of 12 first-serve points in the third set against Shevchenko, using his serve to regain control after a difficult middle portion of the match. Clay remains the surface where Tsitsipas has historically been most dangerous. The Greek owns a 73% career winning percentage on clay, with three Monte-Carlo titles and a Roland Garros final highlighting his ceiling on the surface.

The Gstaad final will be Tsitsipas’ first championship match since winning Dubai in March 2025, ending an 16-month wait for another opportunity to lift an ATP trophy.

Tsitsipas’ path to the final

Round	Opponent	Result
1R	Ignacio Buse	6-4, 6-4
2R	Jerome Kym	6-4, 6-7, 7-6
QF	Arthur Rinderknech	6-3, 3-6, 6-3
SF	Aleksandr Shevchenko	6-4, 3-6, 6-3
F	Raphaël Collignon	-

Raphaël Collignon chasing maiden ATP title after dream week

Raphaël Collignon has produced the biggest run of his career in Gstaad, reaching his first ATP final after a week defined by fighting spirit and dramatic escapes. The 24-year-old Belgian entered the tournament as a rising player on clay and has now guaranteed himself a new career-high ranking.

Collignon’s semifinal victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo was the defining moment of his tournament. After losing the opening set 6-1, he found himself close to elimination multiple times, saving a match point while serving at 3-5 in the second set before forcing a deciding set.

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The Belgian then completed an impressive comeback in the final set, recovering from 2-5 down by winning five consecutive games to close out the match after two hours and 26 minutes.

His run has lifted him to No. 37 in the ATP Live Rankings, five places higher than his previous position. Collignon has also shown he can compete against elite opponents, highlighted by his victory over Ben Shelton at Roland Garros.

However, the biggest challenge will be managing the pressure of his first ATP final. Collignon has never played a championship match at this level, while Tsitsipas has competed in 24 previous tour-level finals.

Collignon’s path to the final

Round	Opponent	Result
1R	Timofe Skatov	3-6, 7-6, 6-4
2R	Lorenzo Sonego	7-6, 7-6
QF	Valentin Vacherot	7-6, 4-6, 7-5
SF	Juan Manuel Cerundolo	1-6, 7-6, 7-5
F	Stefanos Tsitsipas	-

Head-to-head: Experience vs breakthrough opportunity

The Swiss Open Gstaad final presents a first meeting between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Raphaël Collignon, with the contrast between their careers making the matchup particularly interesting.

Tsitsipas brings years of experience at the highest level, including Grand Slam finals, Masters titles and 12 ATP trophies. Collignon arrives with momentum, confidence and nothing to lose after one of the most important weeks of his career.

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Both players have shown resilience throughout the tournament, but the final could come down to whether Collignon can maintain the level that carried him through difficult moments or whether Tsitsipas’ clay-court experience allows him to control the biggest points.

For Tsitsipas, it is an opportunity to prove that his recent struggles are behind him. For Collignon, it is the chance to complete a breakthrough week with the first ATP title of his career.

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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