IN PICTURES: Crazy Scenes Unfold as Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Match Gets Suspended- Tournament Director David Ferrer Promises Refund

Top-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas kicked off his Barcelona campaign with a second-round win against Ilya Ivashka. The match was a rollercoaster ride, with both players going toe to toe against each other. Tsitsipas prevailed in three sets 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. Even though the match was a treat to the eyes, it was accompanied by a whole lot of drama.

The match was scheduled to be played at the Pista Rafa Nadal (Centre court) on Wednesday. However, following the unfavorable weather conditions mid-match, the remaining match was shifted to Thursday on court Pista Jan Kodes. However, the decision didn’t seem to go well with the spectators attending the match. Being short of seating arrangements on Pista Jan Kodes, fans erupted in protests, wanting the match to be played on the center court. David Ferrer, the tournament addressed this issue in a press conference.

Ferrer holds a press conference

Experiencing massive chaos, former player and the current tournament director, David Ferrer soon turned to address the situation. Addressing the media, Ferrer opened up about the reason behind the change of the court. He asserted that the Central court (Pista Rafa Nadal) is not in good condition, that’s why the match has been shifted to Pista Jan Kodes.

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As per the original schedule of the tournament, Tsitsipas had to play his second-round match on Wednesday, followed by a third-round clash on Thursday, and the quarterfinals on Friday. However, following the unfavorable weather conditions, the second-round match was postponed to Thursday. The change automatically shifted the third-round match to Friday.

Opening up about rescheduling, Ferrer admitted that it is important for Tsitsipas to finish the match 0n Thursday itself. Explaining the reason, Ferrer elaborated that it is not possible that Tsitsipas plays three matches on Friday.

Following the court change of Tsitsipas’s match, a number of spectators were left out due to a shortage of seating arrangements on Pista Jan Kodes. Addressing the spectators, Ferrer announced that the tournament will return the money from the tickets.

Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Ilya Ivashka to enter the third-round

Starting his tournament in the second round, Stefanos Tsitsipas kicked off the match with an early break in the first set. Taking a 3-1 lead, he again broke Ivashka in the later games to win the opening set 6-1. Making a comeback in the second set, Ivashka raised his game and one break of serve was enough for him to claim the set 6-4.

However, Tsitsipas regrouped himself to cruise through the deciding set 6-2.

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He will now lock horns against Grigor Dimitrov in his Round-of-16 clash on Friday.