BARCELONA: On April 19, world No. 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Facundo Diaz Acosta and advanced to the Barcelona clay-court event semifinals by saving two match points.
In the last set, the Greek defeated his 53rd-ranked Argentine opponent 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) when the latter failed to convert a match point in the 12th game.
After both players saved more match points in the tie-breaker, Tsitsipas—who finished third in the Barcelona tournament three times—secured his eighth straight triumph, building on his victory at the Monte Carlo Masters the previous weekend.
“At some points during the match, I was on the verge of losing. It appeared to be a mountain, according to Tsitsipas.
“It kept me going because I kept reminding myself that I needed to climb the mountain on this headband I wear here.” “I think that having so many matches under my belt and going through situations like this helps for sure,” he continued.
On April 20, the 25-year-old Tsitsipas will play Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic, ranked 59th in the world.
In his quarterfinal match, Lajovic defeated Arthur Fils of France, ranked 36th, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
The sixth-ranked player in the world, Casper Ruud of Norway, who finished second to Tsitsipas in Monte Carlo, defeated Italian Matteo Arnaldi 6-4, 6-3.
It’s not a simple task. You are competing to advance to the semifinals,” Ruud remarked. On April 20, the 25-year-old Tsitsipas will play Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic, ranked 59th in the world.
In his quarterfinal match, Lajovic defeated Arthur Fils of France, ranked 36th, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
Matteo Arnaldi of Italy was easily defeated by Casper Ruud, the sixth-ranked Norwegian player in the world who finished second to Tsitsipas in Monte Carlo.
Along with securing his spot in the semi-finals, the German Tomas Etcheverry defeated the British Cameron Norrie in straight sets after a fierce match.
Etcheverry, who is rated 30 in the world, one spot ahead of Norrie, prevailed in a close match 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/1) and will now play Ruud in the championship match.
The 24-year-old Etcheverry stated, “I have to play aggressively to win this match. I spoke to my coach last night and also my team.”
“The tiebreaker was crucial. I had a great performance during the portion of the game. AFP