Stefanos Tsitsipas has started his Wimbledon campaign with a win against Japan’s Taro Daniel in straight sets, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5.
While not an easy win, the No.11 seed-maintained control throughout most of the match, and saved six out of seven break points he faced.
The Greek started out strong, defending his serve and breaking in the fourth game to take a 4-1 lead.
But then subsequent errors from Tsitsipas saw Daniel and go on a 3-0 run to level the score at 4-4.
Both players held serve until the tie-break, where the Greek player displayed greater focus, winning the first set 7-6.
Tsitsipas was more efficient in the second set, securing a break in the third game and holding his serve to take a two-set lead.
The third set was more balanced before the 11th game saw the experience of the 25-year-old take hold. He got the crucial break and secured the straight sets victory in around two and a half hours.
He will next face the winner of the Emil Ruusuvuori and Mackenzie McDonald match.
Prior to the first-round match, Tsitsipas defended himself from criticism of his work ethic by his former fitness coach Christos Fiotakis two weeks ago.
The two parted way following the French Open last month, where Tsitsipas was beaten in the quarter-finals by eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Fiotakis said he wasn’t satisfied with the player’s work ethics and doesn’t think his focus is on tennis and getting to the top of rankings or winning Grand Slams.
Ahead of an appearance at the All England Club, the world No.11 addressed the criticism from his former team member.
“It was his decision to come out and say what he said. I work hard every day and when I hear someone say that I’m not putting in the work and that I’m not dedicated and focused on what I’m doing, it seems a little strange to me,” he said.
“All I do all day is live and breathe tennis. Others may have a different view of what I do, I won’t go against it. It is his right to believe anything about me.
“I have higher expectations from the Roland Garros quarter-finals and I really believe that I can achieve more. Just because I didn’t make it this year doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. I will try to have people next to me who are more specialised in tennis.”
