Pierre-Hugues Herbert reacts to stunning Stefanos Tsitsipas in Marseille
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 2546
French tennis player Pierre-Hugues Herbert was thrilled after stunning No. 2 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Marseille quarterfinal. Humbert, ranked at No. 93 in the world, recovered from a set down to beat world No. 5 Tsitsipas 6-7 (6) 6-4 6-2.
"I didn’t know this was the first Top 5 [player] that I beat,” Herbert said in an on-court interview, per the ATP website. “It has been an incredible week for me so far, especially [with] this match. I knew I was going to have to play an amazing match to have a chance to win and I managed to do that.
I am really happy about the way I played. I am so happy to be in the semi-finals here”.
Tsitsipas didn't feel he deserved to beat Herbert
Tsitsipas blew an early first set break but realized his second set point in the tie-break to win the opener.
Herbert claimed the lone break of the second set in the ninth game, before serving out for a decider in the following game. Tsitsipas led 2-1 in the third set before Herbert claimed back-to-back breaks to win five games in a row and complete a comeback win.
“I didn’t deserve to win today,” said Tsitsipas. “He showed a great quality out on the court to persevere and win that match. [The win was] very well earned. Too bad for me”. Herbert knew that he would have to implement a tactically great game plan in order to have a chance against Tsitsipas.
"Against Stefanos, from the baseline, he is much better. I had to do something,” said Herbert. “I had to come to the net. I had to be aggressive and not let him manage the point with his forehand. He has one of the best forehands of all time, so I had to play offensive and it worked. I had my plan and I played it really perfectly. I am really happy about the win”.
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