Stefanos Tsitsipas says Andy Murray should be feared

ATP Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andy Murray post-match handshake

Top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has labelled Andy Murray as ‘one of the favourites’ to win in Stuttgart.

Tsitsipas claimed his first win on grass in over three years to set up a last eight meeting with Murray.

Tsitsipas believes that the Scot’s game on grass makes him one of the favourites for the tournament.

Murray saw off seventh-seeded Alexander Bublik in the second round, moving well and fighting back from a break down to take the match in a second set tiebreak.

Murray played like a favourite against Bublik, even admitting to frustration when the Russian-born Kazakh No 1 briefly held him up.

Tsitsipas will be eager to ease the pressure on himself having endured disappointment at Roland Garros while also looking to offset the imminent loss of rankings points gained in his run to the 2021 final in Paris.

The Greek could slip as low as seventh when the rankings are next updated while Murray has a chance to move back into the top 50 if things go his way in Stuttgart.

Tsitsipas believes that Murray is now once again a genuine contender for ATP Tour titles.

“His game is absolutely there, he’s one of the favourites here,” Tsitsipas told reporters on Thursday.

“He’s had a lot of grass battles and a lot of good wins.”

Tsitsipas is confident that his own game can bring him success on grass, but said he would need time to make the transition.

“My game is built for grass courts, I can 100 per cent have good results on this surface,” Tsitsipas said.

“But it might take a bit of time.

“I want to get the most out of my game and push it to the limit.”

Tsitsipas won the only previous meeting between the two which came in the opening round of the 2021 US Open with Murray taking him to five sets despite being nowhere near full fitness.

Heading into his match against Murray, Tsitsipas is 9-8 on grass in his career edging above a 50 per cent win rate when he dispatched Dominic Striker 6-2 6-4 to reach the BOSS Open last eight.

Andy Murray Stefanos Tsitsipas

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