‘Growing an important rivalry’ – Stefanos Tsitsipas after youngster battle

‘Rising an vital rivalry’, says Stefanos Tsitsipas after battling younger challenger in Mexico

Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the semi-finals of the Mexican Open in Acapulco after an exciting victory towards Felix Auger-Aliassime. 

The world No. 5 dropped serve within the opening recreation however recovered by breaking again for 3-3, and once more for 7-5 – each instances to like – to take the primary set.

Auger-Aliassime claimed one other early break within the second set to go up 2-1. The 20-year-old Canadian dropped simply 4 factors in his subsequent 4 service video games as he closed out the set 6-4 to degree the match.

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

My goodness 😲

Even Felix Auger-Aliassime was blown away by this little bit of @steftsitsipas magic! #AMT2021 pic.twitter.com/P2AL0ahZhj

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 19, 2021

“It was a high-intensity match from each side. We each performed unbelievable tennis,” Tsitsipas mentioned in a post-match interview.

“Usually, I feel I discovered from it. It’s a superb match to have on my portfolio. It’s a superb match to have in my ATP Tour historical past and rising an vital rivalry with Felix with many extra to come back like this.”

Tsitsipas – who now has a 3-2 report towards Auger-Aliassime – added on the rivalry: “Sure I feel it could (develop into a terrific rivalry).

“I feel there may be loads of (time for) each of us left on tour, which implies we’re undoubtedly going to face every many extra instances and it’s vital for our sport.

“It’s vital we each share our personal personalities and our personal model of recreation, which provides a lot to this recreation. I additionally assume it’s vital to have gamers like him which can be very disciplined and excellent at what they do, very calm on courtroom.”

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