Rotterdam Open: Tsitsipas saves match point to move into 80th ATP quarter-final

Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, the No 6 seed, reached the quarter-finals of the Rotterdam Open by edging out Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-7 (5), 7-6 (6), 7-5 at the Rotterdam Ahoy on Thursday.

In doing so, he reaches his 80th ATP quarter-final with Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov, Milos Raonic the only players born in 1990 or later to reach more ATP quarter-finals.

For the match, Tsitsipas hit 54 winners and 42 unforced errors. On the other hand, Griekspoor hit 41 winners and 35 unforced errors.

After the match, the Greek said:

“It’s amazing, super glad how things turned around and the way I delivered at the end. It was a very physical match and I feel like we were battling it out for many hours. It felt like it wasn’t meant to stop, but I put a stop to it at some point. I did fight well towards the end,” said Tsitsipas.

“At some point, there were crucial moments that had to be handled correctly – and I did so. I also have to give credit to Tallon, he didn’t seem to be giving up at any point, it’s not easy when you’re match point up and you find yourself losing that set. We put on a great competition, and a great level of tennis.”

When asked if he needs a really good week in Rotterdam – after a lack of strong results – the two-time Grand Slam finalist said:

“I really do need one, yes, I also know it comes with certain responsibilities – some things that need to happen and it’s a build-up, it’s not something that is going to show in the next day.”

Tsitsipas, ranked No 12, will play Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci next.

Ahead of his victory, the Greek beat French qualifier Harold Mayot (6-1, 7-5).

Griekspoor, ranked No 43, edged out Italian Matteo Berrettini (6-3, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (4)) in the previous round of the Rotterdam tournament.

Rotterdam ATP 500, other second-round results (Rotterdam Ahoy, hard, EUR 2.563.150, most recent results first):

• Pedro Martinez Portero vs. Holger Rune
• Carlos Alcaraz vs. Andrea Vavassori
• Andrey Rublev (4) beat Fabian Marozsan: 7-6 (2), 7-6 (7)
• Daniel Altmaier (LL) beat Arthur Fils (7): 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
• Alex De Minaur (3) beat Jakub Mensik: 6-4, 6-4
• Hubert Hurkacz (8) beat Jiri Lehecka: 7-5, 2-0 ret.
• Mattia Bellucci beat Daniil Medvedev (2): 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3