"That's a pity, and I hope it doesn't happen again," says second seed after squandered opportunity.
Stefanos Tsitsipas wore his trademark headband and the anguished expression of an angler who knew he let the big one get away.

The second-seeded Tsitsipas held a set and a break lead over Hubert Hurkacz and was cruising toward his first Miami Open Masters final four when tennis tsunami struck.

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Hurkacz made a streaking flick pass that blew Tsitsipas' mind and shattered his concentration triggering what he called "self-explosion."

The shot sparked Hurkacz to a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback and left a dispirited Tsitsipas ruing lost opportunity.

"It's a disappointing loss. It's a very disappointing loss," Tsitsipas said. "It left out of my hands. I grabbed it. It was there. Everything was under control. And suddenly, I don't know, self-explosion.

"That's a pity, and I hope it doesn't happen again. I hope things like this will be in the minority of the sport and that I can always close situations and moments like this."





Afterward, Tsitsipas conceded that one stirring shot turned his winning wave into cracked psyche.

"I think I played unbelievable tennis until that point, 6-2, 3-1 up, going for a double break like nothing could stop me. And then suddenly that one shot changed the whole psychology of the match," Tsitsipas said. "Nothing to say. I think I would have done much better this week but it didn't happen.

"Great for Hurkacz who did what he had to do in order to beat me, but I feel like there was a lost opportunity that shouldn't have happened today. Definitely not. It should have been my way. It should have been my win."

Photo credit: Stefanos Tsitsipas Instagram

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