December 22, 2024
Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the third round at Roland Garros for the fifth consecutive year on Wednesday when he overcame Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2 to earn his 20th win at the clay-court major.
Chasing his first major title, the 2021 finalist Tsitsipas was in control for large periods on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The Greek demonstrated great footwork to dictate on his forehand, hitting with heavy topspin to force Carballes Baena deep.
“I like the bounces and the way the ball [moves] when it is sunny like this,” Tsitsipas said when asked about the lively conditions. “There were a few instances this year where it rained a little bit and did not suit me as much, but I really enjoy sunny days like this.”
Tsitsipas overpowered the World No. 57 in the first and third sets, and recovered from dropping serve twice in the second set, winning a tight tie-break. With his two-hour, 16-minute victory, Tsitsipas set a third-round meeting against Diego Schwartzman or Nuno Borges.
“The crowd was great and it is always great on Suzanne-Lenglen,” Tsitsipas said. “I have received a lot of support and love at Roland Garros in the years and it has treated me well.”
The fifth seed now holds a 29-8 record on the season. He arrived in Paris off the back of a run to the semi-finals in Rome, while he advanced to the Barcelona final last month.
Tsitsipas is currently fourth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin but could climb to top spot if he wins his 10th tour-level title in Paris after Race To Turin leader Daniil Medvedev suffered a shock first-round defeat on Tuesday.
In other early action on Day 4, Austrian Sebastian Ofner defeated American Sebastian Korda 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-4 to reach the third round in Paris for the first time. The 27-year-old qualifier, up 25 spots to No. 95 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, will next meet Fabio Fognini.
The Italian backed up his win against Felix Auger-Aliassime by defeating Jason Kubler 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-2.
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