Stefanos Tsitsipas is yet to lose an ATP match against Alex de Minaur! The Greek toppled the Aussie for the ninth time in the Barcelona Open quarter-final, scoring a 6-4, 6-2 victory in an hour and 21 minutes. Stefanos is eager to reach his third Barcelona Open title and chase the first title, with Lorenzo Musetti standing between him and a place in the title clash.
The 2nd seed dropped 14 points in nine service games and defended the only break chance to keep the pressure on the other side. De Minaur hit five double faults and struggled on the second serve. He played against nine break points and experienced three breaks to propel Tsitsipas over the top.
Alex had 16 service winners but sprayed almost 30 unforced errors, missing equally from both wings, while Stefanos tamed his strokes more efficiently. Tsitsipas produced five comfortable holds in the opener and controlled the pace with an early break of serve.
Stefanos Tsitsipas is 9-0 against Alex de Minaur on the ATP Tour.
Stefanos held at 30 in the encounter’s second game and grabbed a break in the next one after Alex’s routine forehand error. The Greek forced the rival’s mistake for a hold in game four and closed the sixth with a smash winner at the net for 4-2.
De Minaur landed a winner at the net in the seventh game to remain within one break deficit before Tsitsipas forged a 5-3 advantage with another forced mistake. The Aussie clinched the ninth game with a smash winner to prolong the set and reduce the deficit to 5-4.
The Greek served for the opener in game ten and closed it with a service winner for 6-4 in 41 minutes. Alex faced issues behind the initial shot in the second set’s third game and faced four break points. He landed a forehand lob winner long on the fourth to suffer a break and fall 2-1 behind.
De Minaur played another loose service game at 1-3 and experienced the second break in a row to fall further behind. Stefanos saved the only break point in the sixth game and wrapped it up with a perfect drop shot winner that pushed him 5-1 in front.
Alex served to prolong the duel and held with a service winner for 2-5. Tsitsipas had a chance to seal the deal on his serve in game eight and landed a volley winner at the net to emerge at the top and sail into the semi-final.