Tsitsipas needs a turnaround to advance

Stefanos Tsitsipas reversed a losing run in the space of 10 minutes to start the ATP Rotterdam event with a 7-5, 6-1 defeat of Emil Ruusuvuori on Tuesday.

The recent Australian Open finalist against Novak Djokovic who played for the title here a year ago against Felix Auger-Aliassime, backed up his win over Finland’s Ruusuvuori from last October in Stockholm.

Victory took 92 minutes, with the Greek top seed trailing 5-3 in the opening set.

Tsitsipas closed the gap, winning the final four games of the set to take control for the rest of the evening; he won 10 of the last 11 games.

Ruusuvuori’s fast start faded, with the Finn producing 18 of his 26 unforced errors in an opening set which lasted for nearly an hour.

The No. 52 saved a pair of match points trailing 5-1 but could not handle a Tsitsipas service winner which completed the victory.

Tsitsipas struck 18 winners and broke on four of eight chances.

The Greek improved to 13-1 on the season and awaits an opponent from last week’s Montpellier winner Jannik Sinner or Benjamin Bonzi of France.