Stefanos Tsitsipas is hoping to turn upcoming Mallorca opponent Ilya Ivashka into cannon fodder on the Spanish grass as the pair meet in the second round on Rafael Nadal’s home island.
The 40th-ranked challenger will be the opening opponent for ATP No. 6 Tsitsipas, whose previous grass outings in Stuttgart and Halle have ended with one win and one loss each week.
Tsitsipas, who has lost in the Wimbledon first round in three of four appearances, is hoping to change his luck on the lawns in the final preparation week prior to Monday’s start at the All England Club.
Ivashka earned his chance with an opening defeat on Monday of Finn Emil Ruusuvuori in 89 minutes with seven aces and four breaks of serve. He now dominates that series 5-0.
Tsitsipas has already defeated Ivashka twice this season, winning indoors in Rotterdam and backing that up with a three-set clay victory two months ago in Barcelona.
