ROTTERDAM/STARNBERG, March 4, 2021

Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece has booked his spot in the quarterfinals of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament.

The No. 2 seed of the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam fought past reigning Delray Beach Open champion Hubert Hurkacz from Poland 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 on Thursday afternoon. Tsitsipas withstood eight aces and converted two of his four break-point chances to secure victory in two hours and seven minutes.

8-1 in 2021 🔥@steftsitsipas battles past Hurkacz 6-4 4-6 7-5 for his eighth win of the year!#abnamrowtt pic.twitter.com/8eddYS5x23

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 4, 2021

“Hubert is a very tough competitor. We have played loads in the past,” said Tsitsipas. “Every single time I go out on the court, I know what to expect. He is a fighter and he doesn’t like to give up, so it always makes him a very difficult opponent.

I played really well. Both of us, we played a high level of tennis and didn’t give away many break-point opportunities. There were pretty good serves from both sides and I am really glad that I fought so hard towards the very end. It was exhausting, but it paid off.” Up next for Tsitsipas will be Russian Karen Khachanov.

In other action, French qualifier Jeremy Chardy defeated No. 6 seed David Goffin of Belgium 7-6(3), 7-6(5). The 34-year-old Pau native won eight points more than his opponent to prevail after one hour and 43 minutes.

“It was extremely difficult,” said Goffin. “No matter the score or the moment, Jeremy goes for it. He’s hit the ball really well since the start of the year. I had a set point, then a chance with a forehand volley, but I didn’t make it. He played really well in the first set tie-break, with three or four shots on the lines, and I think he deserved to win.”

In the top half of the draw, Borna Coric eased past Dusan Lajovic from Serbia, who knocked out top seed Daniil Medvedev in the previous round, 6-3, 6-2. The World No. 26 Croatian sent down four aces and won 81 per cent of his first service-points to advance in one hour and 12 minutes. Coric will next face Kei Nishikori of Japan.

RESULTS – MARCH 04, 2021
Men’s Singles – Second Round
[2] S. Tsitsipas (GRE) d H. Hurkacz (POL) 64 46 75
[Q] J. Chardy (FRA) d [6] D. Goffin (BEL) 76(3) 76(5)
B. Coric (CRO) d D. Lajovic (SRB) 63 62
T. Paul (USA) d A. Bublik (KAZ) 67(5) 63 61
[Q] M. Fucsovics (HUN) d A. Davidovich Fokina (ESP) 63 62

Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
K. Krawietz (GER) / H. Tecau (ROU) d K. Khachanov (RUS) / A. Rublev (RUS) 63 64

ORDER OF PLAY – FRIDAY, MARCH 05, 2021
CENTRE COURT start 11:00 am
P. Herbert (FRA) / J. Struff (GER) vs [2] N. Mektic (CRO) / M. Pavic (CRO)

Not Before 1:00 pm
K. Khachanov (RUS) vs [2] S. Tsitsipas (GRE)
[Q] J. Chardy (FRA) vs [4] A. Rublev (RUS)
After Suitable Rest – H. Kontinen (FIN) / E. Roger-Vasselin (FRA) vs [WC] P. Tsitsipas (GRE) / S. Tsitsipas (GRE)

Not Before 7:30 pm
B. Coric (CRO) vs K. Nishikori (JPN)
T. Paul (USA) vs [Q] M. Fucsovics (HUN) or A. Davidovich Fokina (ESP)