Tsitsipas struggles in round two

Stefanos Tsitsipas beats the Czech Jiri Vesely in the first round of the French Open, which, however, causes him more problems than expected.

World number five Stefanos Tsitsipas had a surprisingly difficult time at the start of the French Open in Paris. The 24-year-old won against the Czech Jiri Vesely on Sunday 7: 5, 6: 3, 4: 6, 7: 6 (9: 7) – he is now in round two of the Clay Court Grand Prix for the sixth time in a row. slams

Afterwards, the second top ten player, who served in Roland Garros on Sunday, also had to go through four sets. The Russian Andrei Rublew (25/No. 7) ultimately prevailed 6: 1, 3: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4 against Laslo Djere from Serbia.

“I was a bit too calm after the second set. I didn’t have the same energy anymore,” Rublev said afterwards: “But then I caught myself again and was able to decide the match.”

Tsitsipas had more problems than expected on the Philippe Chatrier court with his opponent, who slipped down to world number 445 due to a persistent thigh injury. In the fourth set he fended off four set balls and finally won after 3:13 hours.

The Paris finalist from 2021 is one of the extended favorites in Roland Garros this year – as is the Monte Carlo winner Rublew. Both are still waiting for their first Grand Slam title.