T. Griekspoor b. E. Rusuvuori 7-5 7-6(4)
Tallon Greek track overwhelming. After the number 4 seed, Hubert Hurkacz, also Emil Ruusuvuori he has to surrender to a Dutchman in great shape who, with 5 tie-breaks, flies to the semi-final in Rotterdam. He is the one waiting for one of Jannik Sinner or Milos Raonic. Nevertheless At the start of the match, Tallon seems exhausted, cornered by the Finn’s pounding pace. In the key moments, however, it is Griekspoor who shines the most. Cynical, he takes home the first set. Then he grows and also takes the second, dragged to the tie break thanks to a determined Emil, who up to that point had only conceded small change in his serve. But let’s rewind the tape.
First set: Ruusuvuori dictates the pace but Griekspoor runs away at the end
Off we go. At bat Emiil Ruusuvuori, virtual number 43 in the ranking. Immediately a break point and a start full of errorson both sides. It is the Finn who comes out unscathed from a game that lasted 12 points. The tension is palpable, the ice still intact. Tallon Griekspoor breaks it with a violent volley to even the score. 1 to 1. The Finn, 24 years old, also takes courage: the serve becomes more incisive and he opens up the court, facilitating his operations.
Providential beat for Griekspoor too: the number 30, the home favourite, keeps pace. 2 to 2. The pace is pounding. When the exchanges get long, Ruusuvuori almost always takes over. The Dutchman, 27 years old, fresh from four tie-breaks, seems a bit down in the dumps. The serve doesn’t help him: a double fault gives the break point to Ruusuvuori who doesn’t discard. Tallon then charges, the ace appears again, even double: game preserved. 3 all.
But it is Ruusuvuori who gets to the ball better. Not bad crosses also called for. Griekspoor is under pressure. He has to get out of the grip. He receives the applause of the friendly public after an exchange at the net in the Pittino style culminating with a “caress”. But a 15 isn’t enough to take the game. And in the next game he struggles. 0-30. Then the service, precise, takes a hit. 4 all and the ball in the center. We still proceed arm in arm. 5 all with Griekspoor dividing his game between aces (4 for a total of 9) and a double fault.
In the eleventh game another break point, this time it is Griekspoor who does not take advantage of the opportunity which then presents itself again. Wasted again. There is one more and then another, the fourth, which a double fault finally makes fruitful. Break mission accomplished: Griekspoor takes the lead 6-5 and serves for the set. The Dutchman is now more solid and concrete and scores the first set. 7-5.
Second set: Tallon breaks the balance in his habitat, the tie-break
As in the first set, Ruusuvuori served first. The Finn does not let himself be discouraged and, when he comes to the rescue, he holds the serve decisively, also taking himself ahead by fifteen in the Dutchman’s game. Griekspoor, who has always shown lucidity behind the score, puts on a show with a demi volley that is as complicated as it is impeccable and takes back the reins of the game which then materializes. Then, quickly, without too many problems, it was 2-2. Ruusuvuori really concedes crumbs with his serve: 12 points to 0 with his serve. 3 to 2 ahead. Tallon remains anchored. 3 to 3. And then on, on serve, without jolts. 4 all.
Griekspoor cleverly slows down the exchanges to break the rhythm of Ruusuvuori. In the ninth game the Finn found himself two fifteen down on his serve for the first time. But Griekspoor fails and Ruusuvuori, proactive, comes back to the surface. 5 to 4. Griekspoor serves to stay in the match. It’s flawless. Still on the tracks of balance. Equality. Until the tie-break.
Here it is Emil who starts with the most attitude. Mini breaks. But it was a flash in the pan. The Dutchman immediately recovered his lost ground and with a forehand down the line thrown after having wiped left and right. The slice is a precious shot that every now and then helps the good Dutchman to undermine the rhythm imposed by Emil. The Finn is now visibly nervous. 4 to 2 Griekspoor. Emil tries: he acts as a sentry to his camp well and accelerates at the right moment. But the tape is hostile to him and Ruusuvuori chases 3-5. Volley slap 5-4. But now it’s Griekspoor’s turn to serve. The Dutchman is more master of destiny than he is. Ruusuvuori puts in some effort and the Dutchman thanks him, leaving him at 4. 7-5 7-6. The coldness in the key moments dragged Tallon down. Now as number 28 he will face one of Sinner or Raonic. Last year in the semi-final he met the blue.
Martina Tomato