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Most individuals have a good time their birthday with cake and presents. Stefanos Tsitsipas took in his twenty third by incomes a spot within the quarter-finals of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers.
The Greek star defeated Tokyo Olympics singles silver medalist Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-2 to succeed in the final eight in Toronto for the second time. Fittingly, the group on the Aviva Centre sang “Pleased Birthday” to the winner after he accomplished the match, and match officers offered the 2018 finalist with a cake.
Three years in the past in Toronto, Tsitsipas’ birthday was not as joyful. Rafael Nadal beat the 20-year-old Greek within the championship match. However this time, the third seed was in full management in opposition to his Russian opponent to triumph after one hour and 19 minutes.
Tsitsipas saved the 2 break factors he confronted, and was by no means underneath risk. The seven-time ATP Tour titlist did properly to take the primary aggressive strike in rallies and preserve the highly effective Khachanov from dictating play. The World No. 28 grew pissed off as he received caught behind the baseline and was unable to persistently step into the courtroom. Khachanov is extra snug when he has time, a luxurious his opponent didn’t afford him.
The one occasions Tsitsipas confronted issue was on the finish of every set. Because the 23-year-old served for the opener, he confronted his first break level, however responded with a booming forehand winner. Khachanov earned his second probability as Tsitsipas served for the match, however the Greek was too stable from the baseline.
Tsitsipas didn’t serve persistently, solely making 50 per cent of his first deliveries. However the World No. 3 gained 93 per cent of these factors, relieving strain throughout his service video games to take a 4-0 ATP Head2Head lead in opposition to Khachanov.
The 2019 Nitto ATP Finals champion will subsequent play red-hot Norwegian Casper Ruud, who eradicated Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 6-3.
Ruud gained his solely earlier ATP Head2Head conflict in opposition to Tsitsipas earlier this yr in Madrid.
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