Stefanos Tsitsipas explains how change in mindset helped him to turn things around in Rotterdam opener

ATP Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas pleased

He didn’t have it all his own way, but Stefanos Tsitsipas managed to get the better of Egor Gerasimov in the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam after showing some fight.

The second seed initially struggled to break down the solid Gerasimov before finally getting his act together to win 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 in just under two hours.

Tsitsipas broke in game three, but the Belarusian hit straight back and it went to the tie-breaker, which the Greek edged. The second set followed a similar theme with the world No 6 breaking first only to lose his own serve in the next game.

The crucial break eventually came in game 12.

“I had to play more consistently and also what I increased in the [key] moments was the speed of my ball, which felt kind of floppy before,” Tsitsipas told ATP Tour.

“He had a solid game, he was serving well at times. He wasn’t missing a lot, so it was difficult.

“I think once I put in my head that I needed to fight and I [couldn’t] take [any] single moment for granted, things changed and I felt the confidence.”

Next up is Hubert Hurkacz, who defeated Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).

Meanwhile, British qualifier Cameron Norrie set up a clash with Karen Khachanov after beating Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-0, 6-3 while Russian Khachanov defeated eighth-seed and three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 7-5.

“To play against Stan, especially in the first round, is always tough,” Khachanov said. “I am really happy with the win, but there are always things you can improve upon. Mentally, I feel ready and I’m in good shape, so I hope to get some match wins.”

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