Stefanos Tsitsipas Ousted At Barcelona Open 2019

The Greek god of tennis, Stefanos Tsitsipas reached two consecutive ATP finals in Marseille and Dubai this year, and since then, he has just collected four match wins in four different ATP tournaments. The 20-year-old Greek was defeated by the German, Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the Barcelona Open 2019.

In the opening set, Struff gained a chance to break his serve and took a 4-2 up lead. Later, the World Number eight, Stefanos Tsitsipas had a tough time holding his serve at 5-3 as the German came across a few sets points. However, the Greek lad couldn’t outdo the serves of Struff and dropped the opening set 6-4.

In the second set, the last year’s Barcelona finalist, Stefanos Tsitsipas was controlling his service games, at 3-3 the Greek was 0-30 down on his serve, but combatted to keep his serves intact. A lunge volley and Struff’s netball gave the Greek three breaks points and converted one of them after squandering two break points and took a 5-3. And later closed out the set 6-3 with ease.

With the sun setting in Barcelona, the deciding set kicked-off with Struff getting hold of two breaks points. As Stefanos Tsitsipas widens a forehand it awarded the German an early break in the third set. Stuff’s massive serves bestowed him an undaunted 3-0 lead in the set. He frittered away his dominance as the Greek broke back and set the score to 3-2. However, Stefanos Tsitsipas couldn’t consolidate his break as Struff sprinted to take a 5-2 lead and later closed out the match with 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 victory.

The Pista Rafa Nadal gave a farewell match to the Spaniard, David Ferrer in Barcelona who was defeated 6-3 6-3 by his compatriot, Rafael Nadal. Probably it was the last meeting of one of the most prolific rivalries in tennis.

“For me, personally, it was important to take a step forward and play with energy & attitude different from yesterday, which I think I’ve been able to achieve and thus I’m going to the hotel much happier,” Rafa said during the on-court interview. “In the end, this was an important match for me, beyond what it meant for David and for the history of this tournament, where he’s been a very important player.”

“Well, in the end, it’s more about me than the rival. I mean, it was me who had to make a big improvement. Yesterday’s was a very tough match for me… tough, not only score-wise, but in general. I had to take a step forward and I have achieved it.” Along with Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Kei Nishikori are also through to the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open 2019. Rafa will play Struff tomorrow in the last eight round.