Tsitsipas Celebrates 23rd Birthday With Khachanov Win
Most people celebrate their birthday with cake and presents. Stefanos Tsitsipas took in his 23rd by earning a spot in the quarter-finals of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers.
The Greek star defeated Tokyo Olympics singles silver medalist Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-2 to reach the last eight in Toronto for the second time. Fittingly, the crowd at the Aviva Centre sang “Happy Birthday” to the winner after he completed the match, and tournament officials presented the 2018 finalist with a cake.
The 2019 Nitto ATP Finals champion will next play red-hot Norwegian Casper Ruud, who eliminated Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 6-3.
“Casper is a player that has been developing very good recently. He had an amazing clay-court season,” Tsitsipas said. “He’s someone that serves very well, has a very good serve-and-first-ball pattern that works really well for him. I think he’s probably one of the best players out there to have the serve and first ball inside the three first shots that he hits.
“It’s definitely something that I’m going to have to pay attention to, and apply more pressure towards that.”
Three years ago in Toronto, Tsitsipas’ birthday was not as joyful. Rafael Nadal beat the 20-year-old Greek in the championship match. But this time, the third seed was in full control against his Russian opponent to triumph after one hour and 19 minutes.
[WATCH LIVE 2]Tsitsipas saved the two break points he faced, and was never under threat. The seven-time ATP Tour titlist did well to take the first aggressive strike in rallies and keep the powerful Khachanov from dictating play. The World No. 28 grew frustrated as he got stuck behind the baseline and was unable to consistently step into the court. Khachanov is more comfortable when he has time, a luxury his opponent did not afford him.
The only times Tsitsipas faced difficulty was at the end of each set. As the 23-year-old served for the opener, he faced his first break point, but responded with a booming forehand winner. Khachanov earned his second chance as Tsitsipas served for the match, but the Greek was too solid from the baseline.
Tsitsipas did not serve consistently, only making 50 per cent of his first deliveries. But the World No. 3 won 93 per cent of those points, relieving pressure during his service games to take a 4-0 ATP Head2Head lead against Khachanov.
Tsitsipas lost his only previous ATP Head2Head clash against Ruud earlier this year in Madrid.
“[I am] looking forward to that battle,” Tsitsipas said. “We have played each other in the past. Not an easy guy to play against. Looking for a change, looking for a switch-up this time.”