Stefanos Tsitsipas has won his opening match at the Dubai Tennis Championships, and event where he has found his best level in the past, reaching finals in 2019 and 2020.
Now in his return to the hard-court event for the first time in five years, the Greek moved past Italian Lorenzo Sonego 7-6(4), 6-3 to advance to the second round.
“It was not an easy first-round match,” Tsitsipas said post-match.
“There was some trouble in the tie-break. But it was great towards the end. I felt that I was in a bit of trouble at the end of the first set but I came up with some good returns and I think my attacking game came out in that moment.
“I was not backing down and that was something I was pleased with. I am happy with how things turned out. The second set felt like the better set. I just went for my shots and they worked.”
The world No. 11 took large cuts from the baseline to control the tempo and was solid on serve, winning 81 per cent (34/42) of points behind his first delivery.
The 26-year-old is chasing his first title of the season, and now holds a 4-0 head to head record against Sonego.
He’ll next face Karen Khachanov in the Round of 16.
