Stefanos Tsitsipas won his first ATP game at the 2017 European Open. Just 19 then, the Greek star featured in the tournament as a qualifier and reached his first tour semifinals, making a name for himself in the competition. Six years later, Stefanos Tsitsipas is hoping to get past his previous achievement as he defeats Botic van de Zandschlup to reach the quarterfinals in Antwerp.
Meanwhile, German Yannick Hanfman showed an incredible display and power as he outran Dominic Thiem in Antwerp. The victory has now set Hanfman up against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals of the European Open.
Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Van De Zandschlup to reach quarterfinals
Stefanos Tsitsipas returned to the European Open as the top seed and showed quality with a brilliant display that saw him defeat Botic van de Zandschlup 7-5, 6-3. The Greek struggled to show form in the Asian swing but seems to have put all that behind him when he returned to Antwerp, a tournament where he got his first ATP win and reached the semifinals of the 2017 edition.
“It took some time. I didn’t have the best start that I would have expected but what a great way to end it,” Tsitsipas said after recovering an early break in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head matchup.
“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 Stefanos Tsitispas, who has failed to record multiple singles victories at a tournament since he lifted the Los Cabos title in August. The tennis star would hope to continue his fine form as he takes on Yannick Hanfman in the quarterfinals in Antwerp.
Stefanos Tsitsipas improved to 14-5 this season in his opening-round matches by battling out of a 2-4 hole in the opening set against Botic van de Zandschulp. The Greek star won nine of 11 games from that point to take command on center court.
In a game that lasted about an hour and 36 minutes, Stefanos Tsitsipas sustained his best level almost throughout the tie. He never faced a break point in the game and in the second set, he saved four of five break points. Also, Stefanos is through to the doubles of the semifinals in Antwerp alongside his brother Petro Tsitsipas.
Stefanos Tsitsipas to face Yannick Hanfman in European Open quarterfinals
Yannick Hanfman, the no. 5 seed overcame Austrian Dominic Thiem 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to get a slot in the quarterfinals of the European Open at Lotto Arena in Antwerp. The German, who triumphed over Belgian qualifier Alexander Blockx 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the round of 32, would face top seed Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals of the ATP 250.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, who hailed Roger Federer for his advice a few months ago has won ten ATP singles titles including two Masters 1000 championships, and finished runners-up in the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open, will be hoping to add another silverware to his cabinet as he faces Hanfman in Antwerp.
