Zverev comes from double break down to storm past Tsitsipas and reach Western & Southern Open final in tiebreak epic

A treat was served up to tennis fans in the second Western & Southern Open semi-final in Cincinnati as Alexander Zverev came from a double break down to storm past Stefanos Tsitsipas in a tiebreak epic.

Before this week, Zverev's record sat at 0-6 in Cincinnati but it is now 4-0 and it was a match that went back and forth between the duo.

Zverev was 6-4, 2-0 up with a chance at 3-1 going begging and from there, Tsitsipas got himself back into the game and as his momentum went up, the errors increased for the German.

But despite being a double break up and serving it up to a seemingly fatigued Zverev, the latter found a way after Tsitsipas couldn't close it out at 5-3 up to take it to a tiebreak which he claimed. He will now face Andrey Rublev tomorrow to potentially add a second Masters 1000 of the year.

Zverev edged through the opening set producing on the only break point opportunity given at 3-2 where he produced on advantage to edge ahead and he claimed it 6-4 from there.

A break point was forthcoming for Zverev to begin the second and pivotal set and he took it after Tsitsipas initially brought it back to deuce and the Greek skied it which saw Zverev try and get the crowd on his side.

A double fault saw Tsitsipas potentially sniff out a break back opportunity as he went 30-0 up.

Zverev brought it back though with a volley at the net to 30-15 but tried it again only to hand Tsitsipas a couple of break points without the Greek producing the tennis to do so relying on errors.

A superb forehand though handed Tsitsipas real pressure and sent it to deuce as Zverev looked to evade break trouble. But an exquisite dropshot from Tsitsipas which Zverev couldn't reach saw him bring up break points again.

But the World No.5 turned it around with Tsitsipas spurning his chances and an ace sealed it for Zverev to go 2-0 up.

Tsitsipas looked to be in trouble as Zverev went 30-15 up and looked for a double break but the Greek didn't buckle and held serve.

Tsitsipas broke back from there as despite a spectacular lob from Zverev, a double fault and a backhand which was just out proved fatal for the German who was sat at 2-2 instead of 3-1.

It was soon a 3-2 lead for Tsitsipas who had the momentum and looked to force a decider.

Two smashes into the net saw Zverev hand Tsitsipas yet another break opportunity as his horror show continued from being in a brilliant position and the Greek struck to go 4-2 up.

It was a fifth game in a row for Tsitsipas as he was one game away from taking it the distance which he did.

Zverev came out after the break with a superb start to his service game but in a game which summed up the second set, Tsitsipas forced deuce after with a shot into the net in particular showing that.

A dropshot brought up a break point for Tsitsipas to turn it again and go 1-0 up after it was 40-0 but Zverev completed an important hold after it looked like he would be on the back foot to begin the decider.

But unlike Zverev's opener, Tsitsipas swept through his service game with no resistence on the return from Zverev to make it 1-1.

Again though the momentum was with Tsitsipas who made it break point again and a shot into the net saw Zverev wilt once more and hand him a 2-1 lead. it was 3-1 with Tsitsipas again easing to a hold.

Zverev looked a bit uneasy wincing around the baseline and Tsitsipas was showing no mercy moving freely and moving to a 4-1 lead with another break serving to go one game away.

Tsitsipas looked to be heading towards 5-1 but Zverev found something from somewhere to produce a sumptious backhand to break back and potentially mount a late revival.

But this sent Zverev off the court for a moment who still looked to be in some discomfort. He had the doctor ready for the next changeover but was still right in it at 4-3 consolidating his serve.

He sat though at a must win position though as Tsitsipas held to go one away at 5-3 up. Zverev did enough to keep himself alive but he needed to find a break to continue his revival.

This revival was gaining momentum with a superb rally finding no way through for Tsitsipas and it was break point Zverev at 4-5 down who claimed it with a double fault.

He led from there serving an ace to claim a hold with some excellent first serves to go 6-5 up.

A terrific volley saw Tsitsipas attempt to bring up a hold for a tiebreak but two shots went long for him to keep Zverev in the service game.

This back and forth continued with a third deuce seeing the same result, an advantage for Tsitsipas who held finally to take it to a tiebreak.

A 16th forehand winner saw Zverev take the lead and he took a mini break with a backhand to go 2-1 up but this was handed back only for an ace to see him go 3-2 up.

The serve shifted back to Tsitsipas and he levelled up at 3-3. Zverev took the mini break again and Tsitsipas lost his footing to send it wide as the former made it 5-3.

His serve continued and it was too good as he sat at 6-3 with three match points. Tsitsipas wasn't going to hand it to him but it went long and Zverev finished it off.