Tsitsipas Soars Past Isner To Set Felix Clash In Acapulco
Top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has set a blockbuster quarter-final showdown with leading #NextGenATP contender Felix Auger-Aliassime in Acapulco. The Greek barely put a foot wrong as he dismantled big-serving John Isner in just 57 minutes on Wednesday night.
Tsitsipas advanced to his fourth straight quarter-final of the season, following his 6-3, 6-2 victory at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. It was his third straight triumph over the World No. 27 from five FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings.
“I mean things worked out pretty well,” Tsitsipas said. “I think I had good return games today and that was very important. You don’t want to get into tie-breaks with this guy, it can get really dangerous.
“Today I just managed to stay composed and concentrated on all moments. I had opportunities, I won actually most of my break point opportunities… which was important. It gave me so much confidence throughout the whole match.”
[WATCH LIVE 2]It was a ruthless performance from the 22-year-old as he struck 23 winners to only three unforced errors. He dropped only one point on his first serve, only four on his second serve, and did not face a break point.
Isner – playing only his second ATP Tour event since last year’s Roland Garros – was broken to love in his opening service game and his opponent wasted very little time on his own serve. The Greek took 12 of the first 13 points in just six minutes and had dropped only one point on serve as he held for 5-2 on a perfect backhand drop-shot winner, well out of reach of the 6’10” American.
The first set was in the bag on his fourth ace in less than an hour. It was a dominant display as he had not hit an unforced error and won every point when he found his first serve.
“It adds a little psychology when you’ve broken once, when you’ve broken twice,” Tsitsipas said. “Coming into matches like this I try to work on my return a lot and in the practice sessions before the match, I had a player [stand] in the service box today serving so that definitely helps.”
Isner was bidding to reach his third straight Acapulco semi-final, but he faced an uphill battle when Tsitsipas threaded a forehand passing shot to bring up break points in the opening game of the second set. The top seed secured it with another pass down the line and was in complete control when Isner’s netted half-volley conceded the double break.
While Isner saved two match points on serve to stay in the hunt at 1-5, it was a momentary reprieve. Tsitsipas will carry a 2-all ATP Head2Head record into his showdown with Auger-Aliassime.
“Always, yeah it is very difficult playing against him,” he said of the Canadian. “I think I’m going to try and approach that match the same way. Every match I get to play here in Acapulco is important. Hopefully we can have a great day tomorrow as well.”
Fifth seed Grigor Dimitrov booked a quarter-final showdown against #NextGenATP Italian Lorenzo Musetti in the final match on Wednesday night. The Bulgarian – a champion in Acapulco seven years ago – needed 87 minutes to prevail against Serbian World No. 46 Miomir Kecmanovic, 6-4, 6-2.