Tsitsipas sees off Tiafoe threat to reach third round at Tokyo 2020
Stefanos Tsitsipas buried memories of defeat to Frances Tiafoe at Wimbledon, seeing off the American 6-3 6-4 to reach the third round at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Tennis Event.
The 22-year-old Greek had lamented his lack of fighting spirit when comprehensively beaten by Tiafoe at the All England Club earlier in the month, but he was rarely tested in an assured display under the roof at the Ariake Tennis Park.
Tropical Storm Nepartak brought rain and gusty winds on Tuesday, forcing the closure of the Centre Court roof at Ariake Tennis Park and delaying the start of matches on the outside courts.
And though the cooler, air-conditioned atmosphere under the glare of the lights brought an added intensity to proceedings, Tsitsipas was able to contain Tiafoe’s trademark battling qualities throughout.
“There was [a different feel] yeh,” admitted the world No. 4. “I enjoyed playing under the closed roof. The court kind of felt quicker, but that didn’t stop me from playing the game I wanted to play.”
While play on the outside courts stuttered to get underway between fleeting pauses in the rain, Tsitsipas never broke stride in the sheltered confines of Centre Court. He had said before the match he had “learned his lessons” from the defeat to Tiafoe at Wimbledon, and that rung true from the outset.
“I’m always trying to find solutions, find ways to fix my mistakes and get a better outcome - that was the case today,” said Tsitsipas. “I was able to maintain the high levels of concentration and deliver good tennis in moments where I had to.
“It was a very-well balanced game, mentally.”
Tsitispas broke the Tiafoe serve immediately and bossed proceedings at the back of the court throughout the 77-minute encounter. The opening set was neatly summed-up by the scene at the end, when Tiafoe lost his footing and remained flopped, flat on his back, for several seconds while Tsitsipas strode purposefully to his chair.
Tiafoe couldn’t force a momentum shift in the second set. He dashed to the net to try and mix up play when facing break point in the fifth game and his racquet was met with the full force of the Greek's forehand moments later. His attempted volley shanked listlessly into the net.
A smooth single-hander down the line set from Tsitsipas had his team on their feet at 5-4 and brought up 40-0, and Tiafoe blazed long with his service reply on the very next point to bow out of the singles draw.
"I didn’t serve great today," admitted Tiafoe (who remains active in the doubles alongside Rio 2016 mixed silver medallist Rajeev Ram). "He had a lot of second serves. He was able to work the point for his forehand. At Wimbledon I was serving much better, I was able to serve and volley and put a lot more pressure on him.
"But he played well today, man. He struck the ball well. He played the right way at the big times. He’s a good player. He’s where he is for a reason."