Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to his third quarter-final at the Swiss Indoors Basel after defeating qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6(3), 7-5.
It was a nervy encounter yet again for the top ranked Greek, he was pushed in two sets but withstood the Dutchman.
Tsitsipas’ attacking prowess was on full display throughout the match, during which he won 76 per cent (16/21) of net points.
“I had to stay calm in those tight moments, and it worked out pretty well,” he said after the match.
“There were a lot of tense moments in my last two matches, so I am trying to build up on that confidence, getting to play those pressure points the best I can.
“It became critical in a lot of moments. Despite winning the first set, he wasn’t really backing down, he wasn’t giving me the space I was looking for. I would say the second set was even more challenging and tough to play than the first one.
“[It was] an incredible game by myself at 5-5 [in the second set], I managed those points with some great athleticism and defended well.”
Tsitsipas dropped serve in the opening game but quickly reclaimed it in the second before pulling to an unassailable 5/0 lead in the tie-break.
Van de Zandschulp was able to stay within touching distance, but couldn’t convert the single break point he created.
The Greek has now improved to 7-2 in Basel and is now into his fourth hard-court quarter-final in 2024. His hopes of reaching the ATP Finals are still alive, slightly.
The 26-year-old will next face Arthur Fils for a place in the last four.
