Tsitsipas starts strong against patchy opponent

Stefanos Tsitsipas refused to get rattled by the illness episode of struggling Serb Hamad Medjedovic as the top seed advanced 7-6(6), 6-3 in his second round opener on Wednesday at the Swiss Open Gstaad.

Tsitsipas kept focus as the 20-year-old ranked 122 twice called for the trainer not long into the first set, with the tournament doctor also taking his pulse and blood saturation levels.

After a medical timeout, Medjedovic opted to play as as his spell of ill health passed.

Tsitsipas missed on three set point chances in the 10th game but finally came good on his fifth opportunity in the tiebreaker to earn the early lead after saving four break points in the set.

The Greek ranked 12th and owner of a NextGen Finals title like his opponent broke for 4-2 in the second set – the lone break of the match – on his way  to the win.   

“From the start of the match it was difficult for me to figure it out. He put out a great effort to put me in trouble,” the winner said.

“The tie-break was a great comeback from my side. I fought so hard and was very effective towards the end.” 

Tsitsipas lined up a showpiece quarter-final with entertaining Italian Fabio Fognini, the seventh seed who booked his last-eight spot 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 over Peruvian qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas.

Stefano Tsitsipas refused to get rattled by the illness episode of struggling Serb Hamad Medjedovic as the top seed advanced 7-6(6), 6-3 in his second round opener on Wednesday at the Swiss Open Gstaad.

Tsitsipas kept focus as the 20-year-old ranked 122 twice called for the trainer not long into the first set, with the tournament doctor also taking his pulse and blood saturation levels.

After a medical timeout, Medjedovic opted  to play as as his spell of ill health passed.

Tsitsipas missed on three set point chances in the 10th game but finally came good on his fifth opportunity in the tiebreaker to earn the early lead after saving four break points in the set.

The Greek ranked 12th and owner of a NextGen Finals title like his opponent broke for 4-2 in the second set – the lone break of the match – on his way  to the win.   

“From the start of the match it was difficult for me to figure it out. He put out a great effort to put me in trouble,” the winner said.

“The tie-break was a great comeback from my side. I fought so hard and was very effective towards the end.” 

Tsitsipas lined up a showpiece quarter-final with entertaining Italian Fabio Fognini, the seventh seed who booked his last-eight spot 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 over Peruvian qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas.