Stefanos Tsitsipas Ends 17-Month Final Wait at Gstaad with Thrilling Victory

Stefanos Tsitsipas finally breaks his 17-month final drought at the Gstaad Open, defeating Aleksandr Shevchenko in a thrilling match on Saturday. The 27-year-old Greek tennis star outlasted Shevchenko for a 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory, marking his first ATP Tour final appearance in 17 months.

What happened?

Tsitsipas, who has not appeared in a showpiece match since winning the Dubai Tennis Championships in February 2025, showed remarkable resilience in the match. He dropped only one point on serve in the opening set, but then endured a wobble in the second. Shevchenko converted his third break point in game four, but Tsitsipas soon rediscovered his form.

Why it matters for Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas's victory marks a significant turnaround in his season, which has been marred by early exits at the Grand Slams. Since his last ATP Tour final appearance in February, he has failed to go beyond the second round at six straight Grand Slams, including a first-round loss to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. This win could be an important marker for the 27-year-old, who is now eyeing a 13th Tour-level title.

What comes next?

Tsitsipas will face Raphael Collignon in the final, after the Belgian saved match point en route to a 1-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 win over Juan Manuel Cerundolo. Collignon has never previously appeared in a Tour-level final, but Tsitsipas expects a difficult match. "We've both had long matches. We both really want it," Tsitsipas said. "We've come to the end, the two of us, so I feel like no one wants to go out there and not give it their all. It's one last breath. I want to get out there and take the court by storm."

Tsitsipas's victory was a testament to his determination and fighting spirit. In his on-court interview, he praised Shevchenko's performance, saying: "It was a great fight against Aleksandr. I think we played an incredible match from both sides. It's unfortunate there had to be a winner at the end. I thought both of us deserved the victory."

The Gstaad Open has been a significant event for Tsitsipas, who is now eyeing his first title of the season. With this win, he has marked his best run of 2026, and he will be looking to build on this momentum in the coming weeks.