Tsitsipas Contains Karatsev In Monte-Carlo
Fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas aced a tricky opening test at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Aslan Karatsev on Tuesday.
One break of serve in each set made the difference for the Greek on Court Rainier III as he faced the Dubai titlist for the first time. Tsitsipas fired nine winners over an hour and 24 minutes as he claimed the first spot into the third round.
“I knew I had to face a difficult opponent today,” Tsitsipas said in his post-match interview. “Aslan has [had some] great results this year… I managed to push him back and attack with my forehand. Things worked out pretty well for me.
“My clay court experience helps a lot to come back each year stronger, knowing that I have done better before. It was a very beautiful game out there and I enjoyed it.”
With the victory, the Greek improved to 18-5 on the season, having reached the quarter-finals or better at all five of his previous tournaments including a run to the championship match in Acapulco. Tsitsipas advanced to the third round in Monte Carlo for the second edition in a row, equalling his best result at the clay-court ATP Masters 1000 event.
“I’m putting [in] hours on the court, trying to become consistent [and] get close to the legends of our sport,” said Tsitsipas. “I am working every single day. I am very far from that, but it is definitely a dream of mine that I want to achieve one day.”
[WATCH LIVE 1]Also in action, Norwegian Casper Ruud won a Scandinavian showdown against Danish wild card Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune 6-2, 6-1, en route to the third round. Ruud will face seventh seed Diego Schwartzman next. Schwartzman leads their ATP Head2Head record 4-0.