‘Big fighter’ Tsitsipas roars into Paris semis

Stefanos Tsitsipas roared into the semi-finals of the Fr e n c h Open tennis championships yesterday w i th a three -se t demolition of Andrey Rublev.

Russian Rublev, the 13th seed, was seemingly in control during the opening set, leading 5-3 with Tsitsipas serving to stay in it.

Fo u r games later Rublev had lost the set, and barely over an hour later he had lost the match, winning only five more games as he was sent packing from Roland Garros.

What looked on paper another potential fivesetter turned into a 7-5 6-2 6-3 procession for the Greek fifth seed.

Tsitsipas said: “I’ve been feeling really comfortable on this court and despite a bad start and being a break down I remembered what a big fighter I am.

“It’s about fighting and trying to find solutions at d i ff i c u l t moments. I managed to get my brain working and found solutions.”

Me a n w h i l e , Pe t r a Kvitova is closing in on an emotional maiden French triumph after reaching her first semifinal in eight years.

T h e tw o - t im e Wimbledon champion swept aside unseeded Laura Siegemund 6-3 6-3.

Back at the scene of her comeback, three years ago, from the horrific knife attack which left her fighting for her career, Kvitova, 30, is now two wins from a first grand slam title since 2014.

Kvitova will face Sofia Kenin, who kept up her bid for an Australian and French double by winning the all-American clash with Danielle Collins.

Collins had won all three of their meetings, but a side injury saw Kenin complete a 6-4 4-6 6-0 victory.

Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates his quarter-final win.