Stefanos Tsitsipas has moved on to the quarterfinal at the European Open in Antwerp, defeating Botic van de Zandschulp 7-5, 6-3.

Six years on from reaching the semi-finals in 2017 as a 19-year-old qualifier, the Greek now finds himself as the top seed in the ATP 250 – delivering on the ranking in a steady victory over the Dutchman.

Neither player really played their best for long periods, but it was Tsitsipas who improved as the match went on, closing out comfortably off the back of strong serving.

The 25-year-old did not face a break point in the second set, but had to save four or five in the opening set, recovering from a 2-4 deficit by winning the next nine of 11 games.

“It took some time. I didn’t have the best start that I would have expected but what a great way to end it,” he said after the match.

“I was trying to get in there despite the early break and found a really good way through towards the very end. I felt like every point was a fight; every game there was an opportunity to do something. I was trying to maintain that consistency and work towards the victory.”

It was a welcome victory for the 10-time title winner, who has not won consecutive singles matches at a tournament since August – when he won the Los Cabos title.

He looks to break that streak on Friday (Saturday 4am AEDT) against fifth seed Yannick Hanfmann.

In an interview on media day at the European Open, Tsitispas addressed his down patch after a promising start to the year saw him reach the final of the Australian Open, but only one other final since – losing much earlier than expected at other Grand Slam events.

“These last three, four months, I haven’t managed to gain many points, I admit.”

“I relied a little too much on what I had learned. I thought I could also succeed by putting discipline aside a little, and focusing a little more on my talent. But that’s not how it works.

“Deep down, I feel like I want to turn things around with a good end to the season. I’m very hungry as I start this last indoor tour. I have never trained so much in my entire career.”

Tsitsipas also finds himself through to the doubles semi-finals in Antwerp, teaming up with his brother Petros.

Ahead of next year’s Australian Open in January, Tsitsipas will represent 2nd seed Greece in the United Cup in Australia.

Joining him in team Greece is his brother Petros and Stefanos Sakellaridis. On the women’s side is Maria Sakkari, Despina Papamichail and Valentini Grammatikopoulou.