Stefanos Tsitsipas achieved one of his most remarkable comebacks, overcoming Italian rising star Matteo Arnaldi to secure his fourth Roland-Garros quarter-final in five years.
In a thrilling match on Sunday, Tsitsipas triumphed 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-2, setting up a revenge match against second seed Carlos Alcaraz.
For much of the first two sets, Tsitsipas struggled against Arnaldi’s fearless play. His frustration was evident, but a pivotal shift in momentum allowed him to seize control of the match.
“It was one of the craziest comebacks I’ve had,” Tsitsipas told Rolandgarros.com. “The momentum seemed to be going his way the entire match. It was very frustrating on my end.”
Arnaldi aimed to defeat top-10 opponents in consecutive matches after his impressive victory over Andrey Rublev. The world No.35 showcased his skill with a series of powerful shots, including a forehand winner that secured the first set.
Tsitsipas faced multiple set points in the second set but managed to save them and finally broke Arnaldi’s serve to level the match.
“I felt like my spirit was the reason I managed to come back today,” Tsitsipas said.
With renewed confidence, he dominated the subsequent sets, capitalising on Arnaldi’s increasing errors.
With a backhand winner sealing the match after three hours and 11 minutes, Tsitsipas is now set to face Carlos Alcaraz. Reflecting on his previous encounter with Alcaraz.
“I hope I can get him to that stage that he’s maybe not so comfortable playing against me,” he said.
Despite his loss, Arnaldi’s performance highlights a bright future for Italian tennis. His journey to the fourth round, including victories over seeded players, demonstrates his potential. “He’s one of the strongest opponents I’ve had on the clay-court season so far,” Tsitsipas acknowledged.
As Tsitsipas prepares for his quarter-final clash, fans anticipate an exciting rematch with Alcaraz. The Greek star’s resilience and determination will be crucial as he aims to advance further in the tournament.
*With AAP, Roland-Garros
