Stefanos Tsitsipas secures a solid victory over Roman Safiullin in the Acapulco ATP 500, extending his winning streak and climbing the rankings. Tsitsipas showcases his dominance and charitable side, pledging to donate for hurricane relief.
Stefanos Tsitsipas Starts Strong in Acapulco ATP 500
Stefanos Tsitsipas kicked off his campaign at the Acapulco ATP 500 with a commanding victory over Roman Safiullin. The Greek player, known for his passionate and energetic style of play, showcased his dominance against lower-ranked opponents, extending his winning streak to an impressive 11 matches.
( Credit to: Atptour )
Despite the challenging conditions on the Acapulco courts, Tsitsipas executed his game plan effectively, avoiding the fate of former finalists Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul by advancing to the next round. He secured a solid 6-3, 6-4 win against Safiullin, marking his first-ever victory against the Russian player in their Lexus ATP Head2Head encounters.
In a post-match interview, Tsitsipas acknowledged the difficulty posed by Safiullin and praised his opponent’s ability to perform well in Acapulco. However, Tsitsipas remained focused and served exceptionally well in crucial moments, hitting five aces and saving the only break point he faced in the opening set.
Tsitsipas Climbs in Rankings and Shows Charitable Side
Currently ranked World No. 12, Tsitsipas has climbed two spots to No. 10 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings this week. With a chance to secure a place in the Top 10 of the upcoming Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Tsitsipas is determined to continue his strong run in Acapulco.
Beyond his on-court performance, Tsitsipas has also shown his charitable side. He pledged to donate $1,000 USD for every ace he hits during the tournament to the hurricane relief program in Acapulco. This initiative aims to support the recovery efforts following the devastating impact of hurricane Otis in October 2023.
Tsitsipas Sets Sights on Next Challenge: Flavio Cobolli
Looking ahead, Tsitsipas prepares to face Italian qualifier Flavio Cobolli in his next match. Cobolli, who defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in a hard-fought three-set battle, poses a new challenge for Tsitsipas as he aims to continue his strong run in Acapulco.
Casper Ruud and Frances Tiafoe Advance in Three-Set Battles
Meanwhile, on the Grandstand court, both Casper Ruud and Frances Tiafoe also advanced to the next round after grueling three-set battles. Fourth-seeded Ruud displayed a dominant performance, not facing a single break point against Christopher Eubanks. The Norwegian player, who recently reached the final in Los Cabos, continues to excel in his opening-round matches.
Tiafoe, on the other hand, had to fight back against Max Purcell after dropping the first set. The American player showcased his resilience by saving five break points early in the second set and eventually winning the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. Tiafoe’s victory extended his winning streak against Australian opponents to six matches.
Tiafoe Becomes Highest-Ranked American Player Remaining
With Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul being upset in the first round, Tiafoe now stands as the highest-ranked American player remaining in the Acapulco draw. In the next round, he will face Germany’s Dominik Koepfer, who defeated French qualifier Terence Atmane in another intense three-set battle.
Anticipation Grows as Tsitsipas, Ruud, and Tiafoe Aim for Acapulco Title
As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the performances of Tsitsipas, Ruud, and Tiafoe. All three players have shown their exceptional skills and determination, vying for the prestigious title in Acapulco.