The finalist in 2021, Stefanos Tsitsipas showed the exit to Roland-Garros on Monday by Dane Holger Rune, beating Denis Shapovalov in the opening match of the tournament.
The Greek, 4th favorite, was eliminated in four sets of 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 and 6-4 by the world’s 40th racket, in the round of 16.
This is incredible! I was nervous at the end and the audience was greatexclaimed Ruud, who reached the quarterfinals of a grand slam tournament for the first time.
He will face Casper Ruud (No. 8) of Norway on Wednesday to try to climb into the semis of his first major on clay.
I was nervous, but I knew I had to continue my game if I wanted to have a chance.he added about his opponent’s return in the fourth set.
With Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz in the top half of the table, Tsitsipas is a heavy favorite in the bottom half.
He’s had a great time on clay so far. He won the Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo, as in 2021, in addition to reaching the semi-finals in Madrid and the final in Rome.
Rune was the first Dane in history to reach the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros since the tournament began in 1925. He was also the first from his country to reach this stage of a grand slam tournament since Jan Leschly, who reached in the US semifinals Opened in 1967.
First against first
For his part, Casper Ruud, 8th in the world rankings, reached the quarter-finals when he defeated Pole Hubert Hurkacz, 13th in the ATP, in round four.
The first Norwegian to qualify for the quarter-finals of a major tournament, Ruud won four sets of 6-2, 6-3, 3-6 and 6-3 in 2 h 31 min at Suzanne- Lenglen .
The 23-year-old, whose best major-tournament performance was the round of 16 at the Australian Open last year, has already made Australian history by entering the world top 10 in September.
For now, he wants to focus on the rest of his career in Paris first.
There, right now, I’m in tournament mode, I don’t think about the historical side, the milestones, those things.but obviously good to feel and hopefully continue this wayhe said.
Ruud was able to take advantage of many unforced errors from Hurkacz (39 against 19), who this time did not rely on his serving to achieve. Pole came into the round of 16 without losing a set and without even giving up his serve.
On Monday, his first ball failed him (53%) and his second was unmatched for attributes as a substitute from the Norwegian.
Honored by Stan Smith
On the sideline of the French Open, the International Tennis Federation (FIT) awarded Stan Smith its most prestigious honor, the Philippe-Chatrier trophy.
The Australian won singles titles at the US Open in 1971 and at Wimbledon the following year.
He has also won five Grand Slam doubles titles and has been part of seven USA Davis Cup winning teams.
Source: Radio-Canada
