Antwerp
Tsitsipas resists and advances to CF in Antwerp
The local Bergs stopped Báez
October 17, 2024
BelgaImage
By ATP Editorial Board
Stefanos Tsitsipas was tested and forced to find solutions on Thursday to secure a thrilling victory in the first round of the European Open.
The second seed in Antwerp was on the verge of defeat, but showed off his resilience to defeat Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5. Tsitsipas overcame three break points in the eleventh game of the deciding set before finding a decisive break to seal the victory in two hours and 26 minutes.
“It was exhausting having to stay in the game,” said Tsitsipas, who improved to 40-19 on the season. “The comeback was crazy. When they took the lead on the scoreboard, I managed to stay on the points and defend myself well.”
“In the end it was all psychological, I controlled my nerves very well. I don’t usually like to build my game around defensive shots, but I had to fight, I had to do anything within my artillery to make it work.”
Tsitsipas will face the fifth seed, Jiri Lehecka, in the quarterfinals, who beat Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 13 minutes. The Czech was imperious with the serve throughout the match, with 91% (30/33) of the points after his first serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
Meanwhile, at the end of the day, Zizou Bergs scored a landslide victory over the fourth seed, Sebastián Báez, to the delight of the local public. With his 6-3, 6-4 victory, the 25-year-old tennis player became the third Belgian to reach the quarterfinals in Antwerp after David Goffin and Ruben Bemelmans.
Bergs will face Marcos Giron, who beat Arthur Rinderkncech 7-6(6), 7-6(4) to reach his sixth quarterfinal of the season.
Source: https://www.atptour.com/es/news/amberes-2024-jueves-tsitsipas-bergs-baez-jornada
