Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hubert Hurkacz are among the seeded players at the prestigious ATP 500 event in Rotterdam. The Greek and the Pole completed on the opening day of the tournament and sailed into the second round.
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The 8th seed Hurkacz faced Flavio Cobolli in the first round and notched a 6-3, 6-2 victory in an hour and 17 minutes. The Italian did not feel at his best physically, although he wanted to compete and challenge the better-ranked opponent.
Hubert dropped 11 points in nine service games. He denied the only break point offered to his rival and turned 44% of the return points into three breaks from six chances. The Pole hit more service winners and tamed his strokes more efficiently.
They served well in the opening five games of the duel. The Italian squandered a game pointin game six and netted a eroutine backhand to drop serve and fall 4-2 behind. Hubert served for the set at 5-3 and faced the only break point after the rival's forehand down the line winner.
The Pole denied it with a service winner and attacked with his forehand on a set point to wrap up the first part of the duel 6-3. The 8th seed served well in the second set, and Flavio failed to follow that pace. The young Italian saved a break point in the first game.
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Hubert made another push in the third game and cracked a backhand down the line winner for a set and a break advantage. Hurkacz held for 4-2 and landed a backhand down the line return winner in the next one for another break.
The 8th seed served for the win at 5-2 and landed a powerful serve in game eight to seal the deal and make a winning start. Stefanos Tsitsipas debuted in Rotterdam in 2017 as world no. 205 after receiving a wild card from the organizers.
Eight years later, the Greek asked for a late-minute wild card, chosing Rotterdam over the Davis Cup and seeking important wins and confidence. Stefanos played well against Harold Mayot in a 6-1, 7-5 victory in an hour and 23 minutes.
The 2022 finalist left the Frenchman behind in the first set and provided a late break in the second set to move over the top. Stefanos played aggressive tennis and tamed his strokes nicely. The 6th seed dropped 12 points in ten service games.
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Mayot created no break chances and felt the pressure in his games. He gave away 44% of the return points and played against 13 break points. Harold denied ten and fought hard. However, Stefanos secured three breaks and sailed through.
Tsitsispas was off to a great start. He landed a forehand return winner in the second game for an early break. The 6th seed fired a forehand winner in the fourth game, delivering another break and extending the gap.
Mayot saved a set point at 0-5 and avoided a bagel. Stefanos served for the set at 5-1 and hit a forehand winner on a set point. Harold defended three break points in the first game of the second set. He stayed in touch with Tsitsipas after that.
The Greek made another push on the return in the ninth game. He missed two break points before stepping in at 5-5. Mayot missed a forehand on a break point, falling behind and allowing the 6th seed to serve for the win.
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Stefanos held at love with a forehand winner, holding at love and moving over the top in style.
