French OpenJiri Vesely gave me a hard time, says Stefanos Tsitsipas after win in round 1

By India Today Sports DeskWorld number 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Czech Republic’s Jiri Vesely 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(7) in the first round of the ongoing French Open. The Greek tennis star will now face Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in the next round.

Speaking after his win, Tsitsipas said it was a very important win for him, insisting that Vesely gave him a hard time and was a difficult obstacle to cross. Tsitsipas has a chance of becoming the world number 1 but has to win the French Open to clinch the top spot.

“He was a difficult obstacle today, I won’t lie. He gave me a hard time. I’m happy I overcame it in such a fashion. I was able to bounce back from all those difficulties that were being thrown at me constantly. Today’s win is very important for me,” said Tsitsipas.

He went on to say that he changed his game plan mid-game and decided to go for the ball constantly, adding that after he made the change the game shifted in his favour. Tsitsipas now holds a 19-6 record at the French Open, where he reached the final in 2021.

“’Just keep going to the ball’, that’s what I kept telling myself. At times I was not going to the ball, staying still, waiting for it to come to me. So when I took charge, when I said ‘I’m just going for it’, I think that was the moment when I made that switch and won the match,” Tsitsipas added.

He will now face 57th ranked Roberto Carballes Baena in the second round following his win over Vesely. Tsistsipas is aiming to become the world number 1 but will have to win Roland Garros and hope that current top seed Carlos Alcaraz falls by the third round and Daniil Medvedev loses before reaching the quarter-finals.