Milan Final Preview: Tsitsipas, De Minaur Battle For Glory

This week, the stars of tomorrow have been on full display at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan. On Saturday, one of the biggest rivalries of the Next Generation will take centre stage. 

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex de Minaur are set to square off in a blockbuster championship clash under the bright lights of the Fiera Milano. The highest-ranked players in the field have separated themselves from the rest of the #NextGenATP pack, and the stakes could not be greater as they tangle for the trophy.

While many of today’s 21-and-under stars are just getting to know each other on the court, Tsitsipas and De Minaur have already established a competitive rivalry. Saturday’s title match will be their fifth professional encounter and eighth overall since 2015, with a trio of meetings coming at the junior level. 

Just last year, the 20-year-old Greek and 19-year-old Aussie met in the first round of qualifying at an ATP Challenger Tour event in Surbiton, UK. They were both outside the Top 200 of the ATP Rankings and making their initial ascent. One year later, with both firmly entrenched inside the Top 50, they are already household names on the ATP World Tour. Last month, Tsitsipas took their first tour-level clash 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 at the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships.

Safe to say, there will be no secrets on Saturday.

“I know it is going to be tough, so I’m going to have to be prepared for that,” said Tsitsipas. “I’m going to have to be 100 per cent. And I’m going to just mentally be there and just give my last effort and give everything I have.

“I think it would be a fantastic end of the year if things go well tomorrow. I’m going to have to play differently than today. I need to press, but not over-press because that’s what he’s waiting for. Be wise, be patient on the court. And of course make him move, make him run. Come to the net, play good tennis, play clever tennis, play all around tennis.”

Both Tsitsipas and De Minaur advanced to the final after surviving five-set thrillers on Friday. The Greek star needed a fifth set tie-break to overcome last year’s finalist Andrey Rublev, while his Aussie counterpart overcame a stern test from Jaume Munar.

“I’m just going to do what I need to do: recover, get a good night’s sleep and tomorrow is a new day,” De Minaur said. “It’s going to be my last match of the season, so I’m really looking forward to it. He’s got a big serve and definitely likes to dictate with his forehand. He’s very aggressive, likes to come to the net as well. So got to really make sure you have good depth and not leave too many balls short.

“As soon as the draw came out, first thing we thought about was my first-round opponent. And then on to the next, on to the next, on to the next.”

And now the next is the only player seeded ahead of him in Milan: the only player left standing in his way of a title.

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