Stefanos Tsitsipas battled fiercely against local favorite Tallon Griekspoor at the ABN AMRO Open, successfully moving forward to the quarterfinals with a nail-biting win. The match, characterized by its intensity and duration, lasted just under three hours, showcasing the grit required at the ATP 500 level.
Competing on February 8th, 2025, Tsitsipas faced Griekspoor, who had the added pressure and motivation of competing on home soil. The match began with Griekspoor taking the first set 7-6 after leading the tiebreaker, displaying skill and power, which delighted the Rotterdam fans. Tsitsipas, ranked No. 12 globally, found himself struggling against Griekspoor’s aggressive plays initially but wasn’t willing to go down easily.
"I feel like I was here for 10 hours today. I felt like me and Tallon played for ages and I feel like it was a marathon. We started yesterday and finished today," Tsitsipas humorously noted post-match, reflecting on the duration and physicality of the contest. With both players trading blows and momentum often shifting, the crowd was treated to high-stakes tennis, complete with fierce rallies and nail-biting tension.
The pivotal moments came when Tsitsipas, after trailing, managed to find his footing to win the second set tiebreaker, sealing it 7-6(6), and galvanizing his confidence. Tsitsipas's serve proved formidable throughout, as he struck 12 aces and clinched 80 percent of his first serve points, enabling him to counter Griekspoor's groundstrokes effectively.
Despite his strong showing, Griekspoor regained momentum, pushing Tsitsipas to the limit and even forcing match points during the contest. Each player demonstrated remarkable resilience, but it was Tsitsipas who held his nerve, breaking Griekspoor’s serve multiple times, with the decisive moment culminating at the end of the third set when Tsitsipas executed a winning crosscourt forehand to close out the match.
After showcasing skill, determination, and staying power, Tsitsipas emerged victorious with the final scores standing at 6-7(5), 7-6(6), 7-5—an exhausting challenge but one reflective of his ambitions for the tournament. "I always felt he brought the best out of me. We were both fighting pretty well out on the court. These are matches going to be remembered," Tsitsipas elaborated on the battle's significance.
With this victory, Tsitsipas's next hurdle at the tournament will be against Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci, who made headlines by defeating second seed Daniil Medvedev earlier, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the event.
Other players advancing in the tournament include the likes of Andrey Rublev and Alex de Minaur, each setting the stage for exciting clashes as the competition heats up. Tsitsipas, now determined to regain momentum and push for his first title since 2021, expressed clear ambitions stating, "Every match is significant, especially as I look to improve my form and aim for this title." The road to the championship won't be easy, but with performances like these, Tsitsipas has demonstrated he possesses both the skill and heart to contend with the best.