Hitting partners to face off in final
that I practised with him the first time I played here 2016,’’ Thiem said after beating Zverev 7-5 6-3.
‘‘He was a hitting partner here. It’s an amazing story for both of us. We didn’t think that only three years later we were going to face each other in the final.’’
Tsitsipas, now 21, had the most eye-catching win yesterday, saving 11 of 12 break points to beat Federer 6-3 6-4.
He also took advantage of an error-filled performance from Federer, who continually put his opponent under pressure only to come up short when it mattered.
‘‘I’m proud of myself, how hard I fought, how concentrated I stayed in the breakpoints,’’ said Tsitsipas, who reached the biggest final of his career.
‘‘Didn’t crack under pressure. I was very composed and very mature in my decisions.’’
In the evening match, Zverev doubled-faulted on set point to hand Thiem a 1-0 lead and was then broken for the second time to make it 4-2 in the second set.
Thiem saved two break points in the next game to hold for 5-2, and then served out the match on his first attempt, clinching the victory with a forehand winner on match point.
The final pairing also ensures that the tournament will have a first-time champion for the fourth year in a row.
Tsitsipas, who is making his first appearance at the event, saved all six break points he faced against Federer in the first set.
That included two at 5-3, when he needed seven set points before finally winning a marathon game.
He broke again for a 2-1 lead in the second, then saved three break points from 0-40 in the next game before Federer finally converted his fourth to level the set.
Tsitsipas broke again straight away with a forehand winner and then saved two more break points from 15-40 down when serving for the match at 5-4. He didn’t give Federer, 38, any more chances of a comeback, serving out the match with an ace.
‘‘No doubt I had my chances,’’ Federer said.
‘‘I’m just frustrated I couldn’t play better. And when I did and fought my way back, I threw it away again.’’