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'I feel like I gave him the match,' Stefanos Tsitsipas explains how he lost to Nicolas Jarry in Italian Open quarterfinals
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Chile’s Nicolas Jarry ended Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas ‘ quest for a third back-to-back semifinal appearance at the Italian Open. On May 16th, Tsitsipas had no answer to Jarry’s powerful hittings, losing with scores of 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 in two hours and 38 minutes. 

Following the disappointing loss, Tsitsipas explained how he failed to win the match. He felt he played better in the beginning but started doubting himself and couldn’t take advantage when he had the momentum. 

I feel like I gave him the match in a way, I felt like I was robbed. In the sense that it was really the level of my game that dictated the match. Stefanos Tsitsipas said at the press conference 

The World No.8 believed he was sure of the win but lost his rhythm in the middle, which robbed him of the match. He failed to summon the courage to fight back, but in those moments, Jarry held his nerves to advance to his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal. 

It's not an easy day for me, because I really think I could have won this match. I did a lot of things wrong. I doubted myself a lot. I didn't have the courage and the ability to adapt necessary to take the match into my own hands. Stefanos Tsitsipas added

Jarry along with compatriot Alejandro Tabilo have now become the first players from Chile to advance to the semifinal of an ATP Tour event since 2006 when Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu were able to make it to the last four. 

Nicholas Jarry calls the win over Stefanos Tsitsipas his greatest achievement

Stefanos Tsitsipas has good records on clay as he started his European clay season by lifting the Monte-Carlo Masters for the third time. Nicolas Jarry, who improved his head-to-head record 4-2, regarded the victory over the Greek on clay as his best achievement.

In the last two matches, I’ve enjoyed them a lot, so that’s my greatest achievement so far. Happy about that and that it’s brought me into the semis. Nicolas Jarry said 

The 28-year-old will be facing America’s Tommy Paul for the second time in his career. They previously met in last year’s Roland Garros Round of 64 where the Chilean won the battle in four sets. In the current Italian Open quarterfinals, Paul eliminated Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in three sets to reach his fourth semifinal of this year. 

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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