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Jannik Sinner decided to skip the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam. However, another Italian is making a name for himself at the prestigious indoor event. World no. 92 Mattia Bellucci is through to his first ATP semi-final after qualifying for the main draw and making a name for himself!
The 23-year-old ousted Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas en route to his first career-best result, earning a chance to fight for his first ATP final. Mattia faced Stefanos in the quarter-final and scored a rock-solid 6-4, 6-2 victory in an hour and 25 minutes.
The struggling Greek saved a match point and prevailed over Tallon Griekspoor after three hours. He had nothing left in the tank for Bellucci, losing ground in the pivotal moments and ending his campaign in the quarter-final.
A qualifier made the difference behind the second serve. Bellucci denied all four break points and kept the pressure on world no. 12. Tsitsipas claimed only nine points behind the second serve and played against ten break points.
He got broken three times and lost the ground in the second set. Stefanos left the court mighty disappointed following yet another challenging defeat. Mattia hit 22 winners and 17 unforced errors. He welcomed 28 mistakes from the better-ranked rival and used them with both hands.
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World no. 92 hit more service winners and had the upper hand from the baseline. The Greek saved a break point in the first game of the match and showed signs of discomfort in his left leg. Bellucci served well in the opening two service games before facing a break point at 2-3.
A left-hander denied it after a massive forehand error from the other side. The Italian struggled behind the initial shot again two games later. He saved two break points with winners, paintinga forehand down the line on the second and holding with a powerful serve for 4-4.
Tsitsipas faced issues on serve in the ninth game and sprayed a forehand error to play against three break points. He missed another on the third, dropping serve and falling 5-4 behind. Bellucci served for the set in game ten and experienced a break point.
A left-hander saved it after an entertaining point and a volley winner at the net. He held with a service winner for 6-4 in 50 minutes. The Italian served well in the second set, and the Greek could not follow that pace. Tsitsipas got broken in the third game and foundhimself in a challenging position.
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World no. 12 sprayed a double fault in the fifth game, dropping serve for the second straight time and seeing the writings on the wall. Mattia held in game six and created a match point on the return at 5-1 after the rival's loose backhand.
Stefanos saved it and held for 2-5. Bellucci served for the win in game eight and held at love with a service winner, moving over the top in style and reaching the semi-final.
