Stefanos Tsitsipas delivered a statement performance at the Miami Open, overcoming fifth seed Alex de Minaur in straight sets to book his place in the third round. The Greek prevailed 6-3, 7-6(3) in a one-hour, 25-minute contest that showcased his precision, composure, and tactical sharpness.
The victory further underlined Tsitsipas’ dominance in this matchup, as he improved his head-to-head record against the Australian to an emphatic 12-1. Despite the straight-sets scoreline, the encounter demanded sustained focus, particularly in the closing stages of the second set.
“There were moments in the match that felt really good,” Tsitsipas said after the win. “I had to handle the nerves towards the end. It’s not easy having to handle moments like this against Alex. He’s a very tough competitor.”
Serving masterclass proves decisive
A key factor in Tsitsipas’ success was his exceptional serving performance. He won an extraordinary 98 per cent of points on his first serve (39/40), a statistic that left little room for De Minaur to gain traction in return games. In addition, Tsitsipas showed resilience under pressure, saving both break points he faced.
Reflecting on his serving numbers, Tsitsipas added, “I like to say it’s skill. I wish that could happen in every match—that would be insane. If I were able to maintain that, I would be super happy.”
A timely boost in form and rankings
The result marks an important milestone for Tsitsipas, who has struggled for consistency in recent months. Notably, this is the first time since his run to the Monte Carlo quarter-finals last year that he has secured back-to-back victories at the Masters 1000 level.
His resurgence comes at a critical juncture, as he had slipped outside the Top 50 in the live rankings. The win over De Minaur lifts him three spots to World No. 48, signaling a potential turning point in his season.
Next challenge awaits
Tsitsipas will next face rising French talent Arthur Fils in the third round. Fils advanced earlier in the day with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Darwin Blanch.
With confidence restored and momentum building, Tsitsipas will look to continue his strong run in Miami and reestablish himself among the game’s elite.
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