Stefanos Tsitsipas on Carlos Alcaraz rematch: ‘He’s a great player. I like these kinds of challenges’
Stefanos Tsitsipas answered all the questions that Alex de Minaur posed at the Miami Open, but he knows an even bigger test awaits in the fourth round against Carlos Alcaraz.
After going the distance against JJ Wolf in the second round, Tsitsipas was more in control against De Minaur as the third seed won Minaur 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 30 minutes to make it 8-0 in his head-to-head against the Australian.
Having spurned three break points in game four, the Greek wasted a set point in game 10 before eventually getting the job done at the fifth time of asking.
De Minaur had his own opportunities in games one and three of the second set and he was made to pay for not taking his chances as Tsitsipas broke in game four and then served it out to love.
Make that 8-0!@steftsitsipas keeps his winning ways against de Minaur, progressing 6-4 6-2 in Miami#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/ecCICwPM0P
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 29, 2022
“I was able to execute very well today,” said the Greek. “There were a few moments where I had to fight a little bit and show my inner strength. He fought, as always, and I was very patient. I was trying to focus game after game on how I can open the court and come in.”
Up next is rising star Alcaraz after the Spaniard brushed aside Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4. The duo met at last year’s US Open with Alcaraz stunning the Greek in a five-set marathon.
“I’m going to try and fight. He’s a great player,” Tsitsipas said. “For me, it is going to be a big challenge to step out on the court. I like these kinds of challenges. I’m going to put my soul out there and give it my all.”
The winner of that battle will face either 11th seed Taylor Fritz or Miomr Kecmanovic in the quarter-final after the latter beat Sebastian Korda 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.
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