“Stefanos Tsitsipas will always be a fighter” Patrick Mouratoglou praises the Greek for his on-court adaptability
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Stefanos Tsitsipas and Patrick Mouratoglou
World No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas had a nervy return to the Tour for the first time since his semi-final exit from the 2022 Australian Open. Playing as the top-seed at the 2022 Rotterdam Open, Tsitsipas was up against 22-year old Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the opening round of the tournament and while many expected Stef to cruise through, the young Spaniard made life difficult for the Greek.
Tsitsipas eventually won the match 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-4 after 2 hours and 39 minutes on the clock. Fokina was 2-4 down in the 2nd set and it looked that the match will be over soon. But he clawed his way back into the set and dropping just 1 point in the tiebreaker, he forced the third set where Stef needed to break the Spaniard only once and it was enough for him to cruise into the next round.
With a spirited performance, coach Patrick Mouratoglou was quite happy with his ward and took to his official Twitter handle to express his happiness over Stef’s victory. While Stef’s father Apostolos continues to remain the head coach, Mourtagolou has been mentoring the Greek since 2018 and the association has turned out quite good with Stef quickly rising in the ranks among the new generation of players.
“Whether he plays well or plays badly, Tsitsipas will always be a fighter. When you’re not playing well, instead of focusing on what’s not working that day, look across the court to find a winning strategy with what’s working,” tweeted Patrick in two different tweets as he has not travelled with Stefanos for the tournament in Rotterdam.
Stefanos Tsitsipas praises Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
While Stef is just a year older than Fokina, in terms of experience, the Greek is quite ahead. Having already won the ATP Finals once in 2019, 1 ATP-1000 Master title to his name from 3 finals and a runner-up finish at the 2021 French Open where he made life difficult for the World No. 1 and then the 18-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the finals at Roland Garros, Stef is quite senior to Fokina on the Tour.
“It was a good battle. He played at a level where I have rarely seen him evolve. He was very sharp today and made the most of every shot. He hit some big winners from the baseline. He’s one of the best young players I’ve ever faced,” said Stefanos after his match against Fokina praising the youngster.
Tsitsipas will now take on Ilya Ivashka in the second round of the tournament in what will be the first meeting between the two players.
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Sarthak Shitole
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