French Open 2023: Stefanos Tsitsipas edges 'stressful' Jiri Vesely test to reach second round and avoid scare
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ByEurosport
Updated 28/05/2023 at 17:02 GMT
It wasn't always an easy affair for Stefanos Tsitsipas against Jiri Vesely but eventually the Greek superstar was able to battle his way past his opponent in four sets and reach the second round of the French Open. At various stages Tsitsipas looked to be in a good position, but sloppy errors constantly allowed Vesley chances to stay in the game and the match.
Tsitsipas v Vesely - French Open highlights
Stefanos Tsitsipas had to survive a couple of scares but eventually battled past Jiri Vesely in his 2023 French Open first round match 7-5 6-3 4-6 7-6(7).
The world No. 5 arrived as one of the favourites for the tournament, with the absence of Rafael Nadal clearing the way for the top 10 as they look to take advantage of the clay specialist’s absence due to injury.
The Greek was a losing finalist two years ago and he succeeded in his attempt - so far - to go one better in 2023.
Speaking after match, Tsitsipas said the experience had been "quite stressful, but I told myself 'there’s no chance this is going five sets today.'
“He’s a great player. I don’t think he gets enough credit. He’s been able to beat a few top players, including one of the best on tour [Novak Djokovic]. He has great potential. He showed it today. I’d like to congratulate him for his amazing effort today."
Vesely’s best effort is a third-round exit in 2017, and ranked outside the top 400, he was a certain underdog ahead of the action.
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'It's a wake-up call for Tsitsipas' – Wilander on fifth seed's tough win
The initial exchanges went with serve but Vesely hinted at an upset when he was the first to break to go 3-1 up.
Tsitsipas was finally able to level at 5-5 with a break of his own, and broke again on his way to taking the first set 7-5.
He continued to lead into the second set and when he broke to go 4-2 up, Vesely remained impassive, but it became clear that he was struggling to match his opponent’s form as Tsitsipas moved 6-3 up and just one set from victory.
The Czech player hit back in the third set as Tsitsipas struggled to maintain his consistency over the full course of the match, which may cost him against more established figures later in the tournament.
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'Did not see that coming' – Vesely takes third set against Tsitsipas
However, the crowd on Philippe-Chatrier were stunned in the third as a phenomenal display of big serving and powerful returns saw Vesely capitalise on some unforced errors and force a fourth set.
Tsitsipas quickly broke in the fourth, but Vesely did the same and led at 4-3, threatening to go the distance. Tsitsipas sent down his ninth and 10th aces to go 5-5 as he attempted to push past the need for a fifth set.
The set went to a tie-break and after failing to take any of three set points, Vesely could not resist Stefanos any longer.
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