Before this season, Marius Copil had never reached an ATP World Tour semi-final. But on Sunday, the Romanian shocked World No. 5 Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-4 to advance to the Swiss Indoors Basel final, his second tour-level championship match of the year.
There has already been a record 13 first-time titlists on the ATP World Tour in 2018, and Copil could make it 14 if he completes his dream week on Sunday against eight-time champion Roger Federer or in-form Russian Daniil Medvedev. Copil, who made his first final in Sofia, is the first qualifier to play for the title in Basel since Marcos Baghdatis in 2005. At World No. 93, he is also the lowest-ranked finalist at this tournament since No. 100 Patrick McEnroe in 1994.
Before arriving at the ATP World Tour 500-level event, Copil was 0-6 against opponents inside the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings. But this week, the 28-year-old defeated World No. 6 Marin Cilic and now Zverev. The 6’3” right-hander's most recent Top 20 win before this run came at 2014 Brisbane against Gilles Simon.
Copil frustrated Zverev throughout the match with his aggressive tactics, frequently serve and volleying as well as mixing up his shot selection during baseline rallies to keep the German from dominating play from the back of the court. But after letting slip a 4/2 lead in the second-set tie-break, it appeared the Romanian's dream run might come to an end.
But Copil held firm against the nine-time ATP World Tour champion, striking 10 aces in the final set and winning 17 of his 18 first-serve points in the decider. He swatted away a final forehand volley and turned to his camp with both hands in the air to celebrate a two-hour, 31-minute victory.
from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2qceArI
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