Stefanos Tsitsipas finally got over the hump against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Tsitsipas, who had been 0-5 lifetime against the Canadian (0-2 in the pros and 0-3 in the juniors), erased some demons with a 7-6(3), 7-6(3) victory in round two of the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Wednesday afternoon. The world No. 7 served at 75 percent and withstood 11 aces off the 19-year-old Canadian’s racket to get the job done in two hours and two minutes.
“I knew it’s going to be tough, and it was very tough,” Tsitsipas reflected. “I think, mostly, the concentration that I have put and the work that I have put into that match, I still felt like I had to put a lot in order to get that outcome at the end.
The 21-year-old Greek owns three career ATP titles but is seeking his first at something higher than the 250-point level.
“I know that in order to see my name among the [big] titles, I’m going to have to go through a lot of pain and a lot of hype and struggle,” he explained. “I’m honestly excited. I’m excited. I’m excited by the idea of trying to get there.”
Tsitsipas could potentially have to go through both Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals and Roger Federer in the title match later this week in Shanghai. Djokovic defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday, while Federer won his opener on Tuesday via a 6-2, 7-6(5) decision against Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Other winners on Wednesday were Beijing champion Dominic Thiem and an in-form Andrey Rublev. Thiem got right back in action to beat Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6(3), 6-3; Rublev erased Tokyo runner-up John Millman 6-2, 6-0. Rublev, who reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open, will battle Alexander Zverev for a spot in the last eight.
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nice one, Tsitsi
I think Tsitsi is going to have to wait and work awhile yet before he lands a “big” title but I think he’ll beat Hurk in 2.
I’ll go with Rublev in 3. Zverev’s been doing better but Rublev has been really HOT.
Thiem and PCB played a great match. Didn’t know PCB could play so well on a fast hard court.
Played well at the AO one other example. Thiem isn’t exactly perfect for it either but great players adapt.
Why was Tsits shouting at his dad during the match?