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Semi-finals leading to German upset – a nail-biting finish? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fingertip

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'semi-finals' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'leading to german upset a nail-biting finish?' is the wordplay.
'leading to' says to put letters next to each other.
'german' becomes 'ger' (abbreviation).
'upset' becomes 'tip' (I've seen this in another clue).
'a nail-biting finish?' becomes 'fin' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ger'+'tip'='gertip'
'gertip' after 'fin' is 'FINGERTIP'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fingertip that I've seen before include "One of the points" , "Pointer" , ""hunt the thimble" location in the end?" , "One's used to feel" , "at which things are very familiar" .)

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