VIENNA/STARNBERG, October 26, 2021
The top two seeds of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna began their title bid on Tuesday. Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 1 seed of the ATP 500 tournament, edged past Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 7-6(6), 6-4 to reach the second round.
The World No. 3 from Greece withstood 10 aces, saved all four break points he faced and capitalized on his own chance of a break in the 10th game of the second set to clinch the match after one hour and 41 minutes.
Superb 👏
No. 1 seed @steftsitsipas reverses the result from 2020 and defeats Dimitrov 7-6 6-4 in Vienna!@ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/LnbWD2ygtz
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 26, 2021
“Grigor is a tough competitor and the level of tennis was really high today. We both competed at our highest [level],” Tsitsipas said in his post-match interview. “That was great tennis that was being played during the entire match and I got really close to my [best] offence and showed incredible attitude [in] the last game, which was the one that was the most crucial of the match.”
Tsitispas, who is making his second appearance in Vienna, will continue his pursuit of a maiden trophy at the Stadthalle against US-American qualifier Frances Tiafoe, who defeated Serbian Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 22 minutes.
Zverev in straight sets
Later in the afternoon, Alexander Zverev eliminated Filip Krajinovic of Serbia 6-2, 7-5. The second-seeded German fired 12 aces and won 81 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after one hour and 21 minutes.
Zverev through ➡️@AlexZverev defeats Krajinovic 6-2 7-5 to move into the second round at the #ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/QfT6wgAWyF
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 26, 2021
“He was playing well as well, so I knew that I [was] going to get a chance,” Zverev said in his post-match interview. “I just needed to start playing a little bit better and that’s what I did. I’m happy to be through in two sets.”
The World No. 4 will next take on Australian Alex de Minaur, who ousted Kevin Anderson from South Africa 6-3, 7-6(3) on Monday.
Auger-Aliassime advances to second round
In other action, Felix Auger Aliassime of Canada secured his first win in Vienna on his third attempt when he defeated Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 34 minutes. The sixth seed will next play Indian Wells champion Cameron Norrie of Great Britain.
“I’ve always loved the city. The people here are very nice everywhere, so I’ve always enjoyed my time, but never played well,” Auger-Aliassime said in his on-court interview. “So this year I really wanted to get my first win and I did.”
