Stefanos Tsitsipas is off to a strong start at the Barcelona Open, notching a convincing 6-2, 6-2 straight sets win over Reilly Opelka.
Tsitsipas, a four-time finalist at the event, was dominant, capitalising on his opponents 35 unforced errors to improve his record in Barcelona to 21-6.
The win also moved him to 7-0 in opening rounds at the clay-court ATP 500 event.
The Greek has a 75 per cent win rate on his firsts serve and 78 per cent on his second, and he won four of the nine break points he had on the American.
“I’m happy with the way I found relief through fighting, particularly in the difficult moments when he was serving,” Tsitsipas said after the match.
“I knew the serve was going to be the trickiest part.
“I got a few metres back [returning] and used that space effectively. I felt I was able to return way more returns than initially expected. I kept my cool when I had to, it was a good win.”
Next up he’ll face another American in Sebastian Korda in the Round of 16, who last month beat Tsitsipas at the Miami Open.
Elsewhere for Greeks in tennis, Maria Sakkari lost her opening match at the Rouen Open 0-6, 6-3, 3-6.
