Second Seed Stefanos Tsitsipas battled to win a three set win over world number 52 Benjamin Bonzi to set up a clash against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in the second round. 

The Greek wrapped up the closely fought affair in just under two hours winning 7-6(1), 1-6, 6-3.

The world number six was able to find his best tennis in the crucial moments, with the 23-year-old dominating the opening set tie-break and regrouping for a strong final set after being broken three times in the second.

After fighting off two break points to start the third set, denying the Frenchman Bonzi a fourth straight break of serve, Tsitsipas rediscovered his rhythm on serve and used three love holds to help close out the match.

Discussing the match, Tsitsipas said he was very “free-spirited” during the match despite everything being “extremely close.”

He told reporters post-match, “He made it tough. It wasn’t easy,”

“I had to bring some good tennis at the end and I did. Everything was extremely close. I was really trying to find a little gap… those small opportunities that were somewhere afloat.

“It’s one of those matches where I said to myself just go out and enjoy it… It was very spontaneous and very free-spirited. Thats the right way to put it. It really brought something different out there today.”

The Greek number one continued as he discussed his next round match up against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios – who defeated home favourite Daniel Altmaier in straight sets.

“I can say playing him on grass for sure is going to be quite difficult.

“I’m just going to go out there and enjoy myself. Let’s see what that brings.

“He’s fired up playing on the grass-court season. I’m fired up too. I really hope to have a great match against him and be able to really sustain the level at its very highest.”

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