Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas was glad with his footwork and returning in his first grass match of the year but added his first serve percentage could definitely be better.
On Thursday, first-seeded Tsitsipas kicked off his grass season, beating qualifier Dominic Stricker 6-3 6-4 in the Stuttgart round-of-16.
Tsitsipas claimed one break of serve in each set and that was enough for him to complete a straight-set win.
Tsitsipas faced two break points in the first set but was able to save them and finish the match without getting broken.
“I could work a little bit on the percentage of the first serve, which could be higher. Otherwise I was very involved with my footwork,” Tsitsipas said, per the ATP websit. “Being very active on the first ball on the serve, pushing my opponent back. It was a good match.”
Tsitsipas plays Andy Murray next
Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray was also in action on Thursday, defeating Alexander Bublik 6-3 7-6 (4).
Bublik had a 5-2 lead in the second set and set points in the eighth and 10th games but failed to capitalize on his lead and set points as Murray managed to force a tie-break and ultimately complete a straight-set win.
“He is predictable in his unpredictability. You are prepared for some amazing shots and then maybe some loose games,” Murray said in his on-court interview. “Today he played some amazing stuff for five or six games in the second set and everything was coming off and I was getting a bit frustrated, but I kept fighting. Held a tough game at 2-5 and I thought I played well through to the finish.”
Tsitsipas and Murray will be going head-to-head for the second time when they meet in the Stuttgart quarterfinal.
Tsitsipas beat Murray in five sets when they met in the US Open first round last year.
It remains to be seen if Tsitsipas can clinch his second win over Murray on Friday.