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STEFANOS TSITSIPAS
ATP Tennis Players, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Tennis News

‘Growing an important rivalry’, says Stefanos Tsitsipas after battling young challenger in Mexico


Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the semi-finals of the Mexican Open in Acapulco after a thrilling victory against Felix Auger-Aliassime. 

The world No. 5 dropped serve in the opening game but recovered by breaking back for 3-3, and again for 7-5 – both times to love – to take the first set.

Auger-Aliassime claimed another early break in the second set to go up 2-1. The 20-year-old Canadian dropped just four points in his next four service games as he closed out the set 6-4 to level the match.

In a tight third set, the world No. 18 crucially hit consecutive double faults when serving at 3-4 – allowing Tsitsipas to break to love. The 22-year-old Greek then held to seal the deciding set 6-3 and win a tense quarter-final.

“It was a high-intensity match from both sides. We both played incredible tennis,” Tsitsipas said in a post-match interview.

“Generally, I think I learned from it. It’s a good match to have on my portfolio. It’s a good match to have in my ATP Tour history and growing an important rivalry with Felix with many more to come like this.”

Tsitsipas – who now has a 3-2 record against Auger-Aliassime – added on the rivalry: “Yes I think it would (become a great rivalry).

“I think there is plenty of (time for) both of us left on tour, which means we’re definitely going to face each many more times and it’s important for our sport.

“It’s important we both share our own personalities and our own style of game, which adds so much to this game. I also think it’s important to have players like him that are very disciplined and very good at what they do, very calm on court.”

The 2019 ATP Finals champion will play Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals in Acapulco.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.