Italian Open: Stefanos Tsitsipas set for quarter-final date with Jannik Sinner

Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame Karen Khachanov 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 in a comeback victory that saw him set up a quarter-final date with Jannik Sinner.
The fourth seed admitted that he had to find another level to his game to get the result.
Tsitsipas has improved his perfect head to head record against Khachanov to 5-0.
All roads lead to the Rome quarters @steftsitsipas rallies to overcome Khachanov 4-6 6-0 6-3 and secure an ATP Tour-LEADING 29th win of 2022!#IBI22 pic.twitter.com/Yk1UdR9eh6
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 12, 2022
“It was a great, great match. I really upgraded my game in the second set,” Tsitsipas said in his on-court interview. “I was really able to follow through after every shot. I loosened up a little bit and concentrated on depth a little bit more.
“I hit great serves towards the end of the third set. I was able to stay calm on each serve and I was not rushing. I tried to visualise my patterns and it was a great last game.”
Tsitsipas has had to battle to make progress in Rome, enduring three-setters in consecutive matches en route to the last eight.
“It hasn’t been easy the past two matches, but as long as I find my way, that is what matters the most,” Tsitsipas added.
Tsitsipas now sports an 11-2 record on clay in 2022, having reached the semi-finals in Madrid last week and retained his Monte Carlo Masters title.
Sinner made his victory over Filip Krajinovic on Thursday a little tougher than it needed to be as he won a second set tiebreaker to secure passage to the last eight.
The home hope heads into a quarter-final matchup against Tsitsipas that will be the pair’s fifth meeting, with the Greek leading the head to head 3-1.
Cristian Garin will meet second seed Alexander Zverev in Friday’s first men’s singles quarter-final, at the Grandstand Arena.
Garin downed Marin Cilic in another three-set battle on Thursday afternoon.
Zverev battled past Alex de Minaur 6-3, 7-6 to be the first man to book his place in the last eight in Rome.
Fifth seed Casper Ruud also came through his first encounter with rising American Jenson Brooksby, securing a place in the quarter-finals where he will meet either Rafael Nadal or Denis Shapovalov.
Sinner and Tsitsipas will take to centre court after the women’s singles quarter-final match between Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova.
Latest
-
French Open
French Open: Naomi Osaka handed tough first round assignment
Naomi Osaka takes on seeded oppostion in the French Open first round.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic thrown together in French Open draw
Tournament favourites Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are uncomfortably close in the French Open draw.
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz makes 23-year-old top ten player feel old
Carlos Alcaraz makes Casper Ruud feel like time is getting away from him.
-
French Open
Casper Ruud a big fan of Ons Jabeur and Simona Halep
Ons Jabeur claimed the Madrid Open title earlier this month.
-
French Open
Exclusive – Annabel Croft on ‘big match player’ Emma Raducanu’s prospects for this summer
Annabel Croft has backed teenager Raducanu to defy some of her doubters this summer.
-
French Open
French Open: Rafael Nadal slips, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz favourite
Rafael Nadal is still considered a strong contender for the French Open crown.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer comeback on track as agent reveals Swiss icon is keen to have a crack at Wimbledon 2023
Roger Federer “won’t rush back this time”.
-
French Open
French Open talking points: Ashleigh Barty void, Emma Raducanu’s pain, Hawk-Eye snub
A few talking points ahead of the 2022 French Open.
-
French Open
Red-hot Iga Swiatek ’embracing’ the pressure ahead of French Open, says Martina Navratilova
Iga Swiatek is thriving.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic ‘rose in Belgrade’, says tennis pundit as he highlights ‘turning point’ in world No 1’s season
Novak Djokovic “very close to his best form”.