After kicking off his Mutua Madrid Open campaign by beating Dominic Thiem in a third-set tiebreaker, Stefanos Tsitsipas once again dominated the clutch moment against Sebastian Baez on Monday. With a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win, Greece won his final four games of the first set and his final three games of the third in his ATP Masters 1000, finishing his best. Advanced to 16.
Tsitsipas improved to an 8-2 record on clay this season, reaching the Madrid semi-finals for the third time. A finalist in the Spanish capital in 2019, he is also in the top four in 2022. Winning his third ATP Masters 1000 title this week could move him up to No. 3 in the Pepperstone ATP rankings and within 1,000 points of him with the world. No.1 Novak Djokovic.
The trophy would be his first of the season, following the Australian Open final and last week’s defeat in Barcelona.
Baez tested hard at the Manolo Santana Stadium, combining consistency and relentless baseline attack, taking advantage of Greece’s 45 unforced error. Tsitsipas yielded to take the first set from him 3-5, finding space to direct with a forehand wing, but after building a 3-0 lead, Baez snapped back to take the second set. I saw you get
No break points were offered in the final set until the final two games. Tsitsipas stepped onto the court and made a successful 5-3 break before saving his two breaks, including an ace, to end the match. He served and volleyed on match point to take the win after 2 hours and 12 minutes.
Tsitsipas will next face favorite Bernabe Zapata Miralles at home. Bernabe Zapata Miralles continued her dream run at Kaja Magica, defeating qualifier Roman Safiuline 6-3 3-6 6-3. The world ranking No. 42 drove her 33 winners toward a 2:22 victory, advancing to the fourth round of a Masters 1000 event for the first time.
