The Monte Carlo Masters champion Stefanos Tsitsipas made a winning start at the Barcelona Open, extending his winning streak. Stefanos defeated Sebastian Ofner 6-4, 7-5 in an hour and 36 minutes, securing a place in the third round. The three-time beaten Barcelona Open finalist will chase his second consecutive title, standing as the top favorite in Carlos Alcaraz’s absence. Stefanos struggled behind the second serve against Sebastian, and he will have to improve that segment in the upcoming duels. Both players created eight break chances, and the Greek played better in the decisive moments. Tsitsipas got broken three times and secured five return games, overcoming a 5-3 deficit in the second set and doing enough to emerge at the top in straight sets and preserve energy.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, Barcelona 2024© Stream screenshot
The Austrian missed a forehand in the first game of the encounter, losing serve and pushing the Greek in front. Tsitsipas could not stay there for long, though, missing a forehand right after the serve in game two and bringing his rival back to the positive side. They served well in the next four games, and Stefanos locked the result at 3-3 with a service winner in game six. Sebastian wasted game points in the seventh game and netted a forehand to lose serve and fall 4-3 behind. The Greek cemented the advantage with a service winner in game eight, forcing the Austrian to serve to stay in the set. Ofner produced a quick hold at love after a powerful serve, prolonging the battle and hoping for a chance on the return in the next one.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, Barcelona 2024© Stream screenshot
Stefanos Tsitsipas is seeking his first Barcelona Open title this week.
Instead, Tsitsipas created two set points with an ace and seized the first with a service winner for 6-4 after 38 minutes. Ofner delivered two fine holds at the beginning of the second set and created a break chance in the fourth game after Tsitsipas’ loose forehand. Sebastian squandered it after a wayward backhand, and Stefanos closed the game with a service winner, remaining on the positive side. The Austrian played a volley at the net long in the fifth game, offering his rival a break point. Tsitsipas drew Ofner’s mistake with a fine attack, moving 3-2 in front and closer to the finish line. Sebastian stayed focused and pulled the break back in game six on his third break point, returning to the positive side and extending his chances.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, Barcelona 2024© Stream screenshot
Ofner took charge, holding at love in game seven and securing his second straight break a few minutes later after Tsitsipas’ wayward forehand. Stefanos stayed focused and pulled the break back at the last moment at 3-5 after his rival’s basic error. The Greek leveled the score at 5-5 and made another push on the return in game 11. The three-time finalist broke at 15 after Ofner’s forehand error, opening a 6-5 lead and serving for the victory in game 12. Tsitsipas squandered two match points at 40-15 before earning the third with an ace. The Greek seized it with a service winner, rattling off four games and moving into the last 16.
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