Stefanos Tsitsipas to face Novak Djokovic in Italian Open quarter-final

Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame Italian No. 1 Matteo Berrettini 7-6(3), 6-2 to reach the Internazionali BNL d’Italia quarter-finals, where the Greek will face World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

In a first set dominated by serve, Tsitsipas rallied from 1/3 down in the tie-break with six consecutive points. The Greek attacked Berrettini’s forehand and took advantage of consecutive volley errors to move a set from victory.

Tsitsipas created six break points across his opening two return games in the second set, breaking through at 1-1 to increase his advantage. Tsitsipas closed the match with a second break and a love service hold to finish the match.

“I had to deal with very serious business today,” Tsitsipas said. “Matteo was applying a lot of pressure with his serve, being very precise and accurate and that was the most difficult [part] of the match today… In the tie-break, I found my footwork which helped me transform my game and feel more comfortable playing the rallies. I was happy. I fought like I always do. I never gave up. I saw [my] opportunity and grabbed it.”

The fifth seed won seven of his eight net points and capitalised on Berrettini’s low first-serve percentage in the second set (32%) to advance after one hour and 36 minutes. Tsitsipas has reached the quarter-finals at eight of his nine tournament appearances this season.

Tsitsipas owns a 2-4 ATP Head2Head record against Djokovic. In the pair’s most recent meeting, Djokovic outlasted Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1 to reach last year’s Roland Garros final.

“[Djokovic] has won here a lot of times. I am just expecting to go out there [and] give my best performance,” Tsitsipas said in his post-match interview.

“He can play on all surfaces. We played each other at Roland Garros. I see this as an opportunity for me to do something better this time. I hope to be able to play the same tennis that I have been playing so far and be a challenge for him.”

Sourced By: ATP Tour