?Big Move for This Sport?: Stefanos Tsitsipas After Achieving Unique Record at Tokyo Olympics 2020

The first couple of days of tennis at the Tokyo Olympics this year witnessed top players taking the fall in opening-round matches from both the men’s and women’s draws. However, Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas managed to get out of trouble in the first-round match against Philipp Kohlschreiber.

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The Greek defeated Kohlschreiber in three sets 6-3,3-6,6-3. While a few of his peers like Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime bowed out of their first-round singles matches already, Tsitsipas found a way to overcome the experienced German player.

Stefanos Tsitsipas became the first Greek player to win a singles match at Olympic Games since 1924

With this victory, the reigning French Open runner-up created a record at the Olympic games by being the first Greek player to win a singles match at the Summer games since Augustos Zerlandis at Paris in 1924.

As a result of Tsitsipas foraying into the ATP tour and producing consistent results every year, tennis in Greece is slowly gathering momentum as dedicated, loyal fans have began to tour alongside Stefanos for various tournaments.

Coming to the Olympics games, Tsitsipas’ second-round match is a tricky one as he will have to play against Frances Tiafoe. The American shattered Tsitsipas’ hopes of making it big at Wimbledon earlier this month. Tiafoe defeated the Greek in straight sets 6-4,6-4,6-3.

It will not be an easy contest for Tsitsipas as the SW19 wound is still fresh in his mind. After the first-round victory against Kohlschreiber at Tokyo, the young Greek talked about the unique record he made and facing Tiafoe next.

“Going to have to raise my level this time” – Tsitsipas on facing Tiafoe next

“Stats are important. It?s a good thing to know that this happened. I?m a person that?s optimistic and I?m a person that wants more. It is an honour. It?s a big move for Greece. It?s a big move for this sport in Greece as well and there?s joy in doing that”,?mentioned the Greek.

Tsitsipas was wary of the threat posed by Frances Tiafoe on grass and hard courts. The world number four admitted the need to be more careful during point-construction against the American.

“I?ve learned my lessons. I try and move on better this time. He?s an opponent around my age group and we?re kind of building a rivalry. I?m going to have to raise my level this time”?concluded Tsitsipas.

Amidst the scorching heat in Tokyo, Tsitsipas has a tough battle ahead of him in the second round against Tiafoe. This enthralling second-round matchup will take place on July 27th.

Also read: Greek God Stefanos Tsitsipas Survives the R1 Match at Tokyo Olympics 2020 Against Philipp Kohlschreiber