Tsitsipas defeats Andujar in Millennium Estoril Open debut
Greek youngster Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Spaniard Pablo Andujar in straight sets (7-6(2), 6-3) in his maiden Millennium Estoril Open match.
Fresh off his Barcelona final, where he lost the title to World number one Rafael Nadal, Stefanos "El Greco" Tsitsipas got the better of his more experienced opponent and sealed his 11th win of the season in one hour and 47 minutes.
“I felt good with my tennis. I was pumped for another clay court match after a good tournament in Barcelona. I knew it was going to be a tough match against Pablo (Andujar), he won a title a few weeks ago in Marrakech. He is a solid baseliner and knows this surface very well. I managed to change a few things in my game and get him out of his comfort zone. That worked and it gave me the win,” said Tsitsipas after his convincing win.
The 19-year-old Greek who broke into the world's top 50 this week, will now face first seed Kevin Anderson, who made the semi-finals in last year’s edition of the Portuguese tournament. It will be the first match between the two players and Tsitsipas is ready for a tough challenge: "I believe it's going to be a hard day in the office. He is a big server and a strong opponent and I need to stay humble."
Earlier in the day Federico Delbonis needed less than one hour and 30 minutes to secure the win over Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2, 6-4. The 27-year-old Argentinian, currently ranked No. 79 in the world, will face Italian Simone Bolelli in the the next round, who defeated Portuguese João Domingues in the first match of the day on Estádio Millennium (6-3, 6-2).
Nicolas Kicker will be the second Argentinian in the second round after he defeated American qualifier Tim Smyczek 6-2, 6-2 in a one-sided affair on Court 3. Kicker saved all five break-points he faced throughout the match and came out on top after just one hour and seven minutes on court. In round two the 25-year-old Argentinian will face a mightier opponent in the shape of defending champion Pablo Carreño Busta.
Leonardo Mayer, quarterfinalist in Estoril two years ago, exited the tournament prematurely after losing to Chilean Nicolas Jarry in three sets ( 3-6 7-6(7), 6-4) preventing a clean sweep by the Argentinians in round one. Jarry set up a round two clash with Spaniard Ricardo Ojeda Lara who trumped Portuguese wildcard Frederico Silva
In other notable results, British Cameron Norrie won the tight contest against veteran Robin Haase by downing the experienced Dutchman 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in what was the first official match between the two. Norrie, who also booked his place in round two in the Doubles draw alongside Kyle Edmund, will go up against Roberto Carballes Baena in the next round , after the Spaniard made easy work of American Bjorn Fratangelo (7-6(1), 6-3).
