Stefanos Tsitsipas Survives Injury Scare at ATP Rotterdam 2020

It was Stefanos Tsitsipas’ first match on the ATP Tour in Rotterdam after his third-round exit from Australian Open 2020. The second seed Tsistipas opened his Dutch tournament against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. After losing to Canada’s Milos Raonic in Melbourne, the World Number six had a trembling start on the Netherland’s court. 

He won 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-1 against Hurkacz. But, amidst his win, Tsistipas availed a medical time out towards the end of the first set and his right shoulder was pestering him. 

First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas dropped the opening set

In the opening set, Stefanos Tsitsipas was a break down and Hurkacz was comfortably leading the in the set. The Polish player came up with three big serves while serving for the set, and consequently received three set points.

However, the Greek lad Tsitsipas was not on the back foot. With spoiling Hurkacz’s momentum, he saved all three of them from 5-4 (40*-0) down situation. After the Polish player committed a big forehand error, Tsitsipas broke him back at 5-5. With both of them playing safe tennis, the set sailed in the tiebreak. 

Tsitsipas’ unforced errors were peaking in the tiebreak and Hurkacz comfortably pulled off the set 7-6(7-2). After losing the set, the frustrated Tsitsipas received a medical time-out. 

Second set: Calm and composed Tsitsipas pulled off the set

Once again Tsitsipas made a slow start. With Hurkacz’s excellent defense, he led by a break at 2-0. But immediately, the Greek ace gained two break-back points and retrieved his service game loss at 2-1.

The set began tilting on Tsitsipas’ edge after he produced some quality tennis. He broke the Polish player at 3-2 and consolidated for a 4-2 lead.

Later it was one-way traffic on Tsitsipas’ route. While serving to stay in the set, Hurkacz committed errors, and the Greek gun wrapped up the set 6-3, 46 minutes. 

Third set: Easy set for Tsitsipas

The shaky tennis from Hurkacz continued in the deciding set. After Tsitsipas held his serve at 1-0, he came across a break point on Hurkacz’s serve. With an unplayable overhead smash from the net, the Greek star led by a break at 2-0. 

In the next game, the Greek gave his opponent a 0*-30 advantage, but a few minutes later he backed up the break at 3-0. The  Polish professional was erratic in the set, and with Stefanos on the driver’s seat, he led by 5-0 in the decider.

Hurkacz came up with an unforced error on the last point, and it was game, set and match for Tsitsipas.