Stefanos Tsitsipas came back from a set and 0-2 down to beat Hubert Hurkacz 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 6-1 after 2 hours and 7 minutes. Tsitsipas improved his record to 5-1 in his six head-to-head matches. Tsitsipas converted 6 of his 11 break points and won 81 % of his first serve points.
Tsitsipas has improved his record to 3-3 this year after winning one of his three matches at the ATP Cup before losing to eventual quarter finalist Milos Raonic at the Australian Open.
Hurkacz hit three big serves, while he was serving for the first set, and earned three set points. Tsitsipas saved all three set points from 4-5 0-40 down. Tsitsipas broke back to draw level to 5-5, after Hurkacz committed a forehand error. Hurkacz cruised through to 7-2 in tie-break. Tsitsipas received a medical time-out after losing the first set.
Hurkacz led by a break to take a 2-0 lead in the second set. Tsitsipas earned two break points and broke back at 2-1. Tsitsipas earned the break in the fifth game at 3-2 and consolidated it to open up a 4-2 lead. The Greek player closed out the second set 6-3, while Hurkacz was serving to stay in the set.
Tsitsipas held his serve at 1-0, before earning a break point in the second game. The 2019 ATP Finals champion broke serve with a overhead smash to open up a 2-0 lead. He rallied from 0-30 down to consolidate the break for 3-0. Tsitsipas broke again to race out to a 5-0 lead. Tsitsipas sealed the win, as Hurkacz made an unforced error on the match point.
Tsitsipas set up a second round match against Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene, who broke serve four times in his 6-4 6-2 win over Benoit Paire.
“In the second set I fell a break behind quickly, but I fought back very well and managed to bring down my unforced errors count. I was actually quite tense at the start of the match, because I really wanted to show some good tennis”,said Tsitsipas.
Filip Krajinovic beat Talon Griekspoor 6-4 6-1 with a break in the third game of the opening set and three consecutive breaks in the second set.
