Stefanos Tsitsipas Wins Season's First Clay-Court Match In Madrid Open

 

Stefanos Tsitsipas rallied to fight back from a set down, edging Patrick Kypson in three sets, 3-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(4), in the opening round of the Madrid Open. 

The Greek, a one-time finalist, was participating in his third Master's 1,000 events of the season. He started off slow before picking up the pace in the second set. It was his first clay-court victory of the season and his first match victory in a Master's 1,000 event since the Miami Open.  

Patrick made his debut in the Master's 1,000 event, claiming his first set win on clay-court against Tsitsipas. They both were meeting for the first time in their career. 

Tsitsipas will meet Alexander Rublik in the Round of 64. The latter had an impressive run at the Rotterdam Open, reaching the semifinal before he was eliminated by Felix Auger-Aliassime.