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Tsitsipas Australian Open 2021
ATP Tennis Players, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Tennis News

Stefanos Tsitsipas avenges Olympics defeat against Ugo Humbert


Stefanos Tsitsipas earned his sweet revenge against his French nemesis Ugo Humbert at the National Bank Open. 

The Greek star eventually prevailed 6-3 6-7(13) 6-1 despite losing a 22-minute second-set tie-break, where he spurned five match points.

The world number three lost his two previous encounters against the French star, most recently at the Olympics where Humbert ended Tsitsipas’ medal hopes.

“It’s all about the fighting spirit,” Tsitsipas said. “I’m someone who doesn’t like to give up.

“It wasn’t easy out there today. I had to do a lot. I put a lot of effort into stepping it up and to be my best today.”

The Greek explained how he put the disappointment of the second set behind him to prevail in the decider.

“I took a break, I went to refresh myself. I kind of put it behind,” Tsitsipas said of how he mentally re-set.

“I didn’t want to think about it. Whatever happened happened, and I don’t want anything to affect me. I don’t want anything to get inside my head.

“I just showed incredible mental balance and mental strength to overcome this difficult tie-break that I just experienced…I still had high hopes that I could pull something good off.”

Tsitsipas will now await the winner of all-Russian clash between 15th seed Aslan Karatsev and Karen Khachanov in the third round.


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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.