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Stefanos Tsitsipas Monte Carlo Masters2021
Stefanos Tsitsipas, Tennis News

Tsitsipas states battle with Ruud ‘will be a difficult task early in a Masters’


Stefanos Tsitsipas noted the challenge ahead of him in facing Casper Ruud, a player who is having a strong clay season so far.

Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Benoit Paire 6-1, 6-2 to reach the third round in Madrid, and will face the young Norwegian for the first time at tour level in the round of 16.

“It’s fair to say that I played well,” Tsitsipas stated following his victory. “I adapted well to the new conditions. The ball is bouncing a bit higher here. And my game worked pretty well…I found my ways and had a great win today.

“I think there’s plenty for me to take from today’s match. Although there wasn’t much rhythm, it was a different pace, things were moving pretty fast I would say I felt comfortable in my shoes.”

 

 

Casper Ruud is 9-3 on clay in 2021, defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime and Yoshihito Nishioka in the first two rounds of Madrid, both in straight sets for the loss of just 8 games.

“For sure [Ruud’s] a clay court specialist. I haven’t played him in a long time we played in juniors together. [He’s] someone who knows the surface really well. Most of his good results have come on clay so it’s a difficult task early in a Masters 1000.”

The two faced each other back in 2016 at an ITF Futures event final, with Tsitsipas winning the encounter.

“But, again, I’m gonna try to go out on the court and show my game, show what I’m capable of and put out my best power.”

(Photo credit Ray Giubilo)


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