Stefanos Tsitsipas gets season back on track by beating Mikhail Kukushkin to Marseille title

ATP Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates

Stefanos Tsitsipas has claimed his first title of the season, defeating Mikhail Kukushkin 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) to win the Open 13 in Marseille.

The 20-year-old and current NextGen champion will now climb to a career-best ranking of 11.

The win represents a welcome return to form for Tsitsipas, who impressed at the Australian Open but has struggled since.

Speaking after the match, he admitted this was a win he needed to regain his rhythm.

“I lost the spark [after the Australian Open] and I was frustrated because it felt like I couldn’t find it again,” said Tsitsipas.

“This week, I can say I am really happy because I felt this hunger back again.

“I really hope it stays the same because there are many good players out there that play for the same prize.

“Winning titles is the thing that I am working for. It is the biggest satisfaction and the biggest joy in tennis.

“[I have] satisfaction. There was a lot of stress this week because I knew I had to face some good opponents.

“When you care a lot, you tend to be more stressed than usual. I am happy that I got through that stress and played the game that I was supposed to play,”

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