Dubai, UAE – Fourth-seeded Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas started his Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships campaign with a solid victory over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. Tsitsipas showcased his strong service game, winning 81 percent of his first-serve points en route to a 7-6 (4), 6-3 win in Monday’s opening round.
The match was a display of high-quality tennis, with both players pushing each other in the first set. However, Tsitsipas edged out Sonego in the tiebreaker before securing a more comfortable second set to claim the victory. With this win, the world No. 11 advances to the next round, aiming to build momentum in Dubai.
Bautista Agut Battles Past Marozsan in Three-Set Thriller
Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut faced a tough challenge against Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan but managed to stage a comeback. After dropping the first set 3-6, Bautista Agut fought back to take the next two sets 6-3, 7-6 (4), securing his spot in the next round.
This was the only match of the day that went to three sets, demonstrating the resilience and experience of the Spanish veteran, who is looking to regain top form this season.
Other Notable Wins in Dubai
Several players advanced in straight sets on Monday.
- Alexei Popyrin (Australia) dominated his opponent with a strong baseline game.
- Karen Khachanov (Russia) continued his consistent form with an efficient victory.
- Zizou Bergs (Belgium) impressed with his aggressive play.
- Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (France) made his mark with a solid performance.
Cristian Garin Shines at Movistar Chile Open
Meanwhile, in Santiago, Chile, home favorite Cristian Garin thrilled local fans with a comeback win in the first round of the Movistar Chile Open. After dropping the first set 2-6 to Argentine qualifier Juan Pablo Ficovich, Garin rallied to take the next two sets 6-4, 6-4, securing his spot in the second round.
Despite struggling with his break-point conversion, converting only 3 of 16 opportunities, Garin’s powerful service game helped him outpace his opponent with a 9-3 advantage in aces.
Other Results from Santiago
- Gustavo Heide (Brazil) defeated fellow Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild 7-5, 6-2 in an all-Brazilian clash.
- Yannick Hanfmann (Germany) overcame Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta 7-5, 6-3.
- Laslo Djere (Serbia) eliminated Peru’s Ignacio Buse 6-4, 6-3.
As the tournaments progress, fans can expect intense battles in both Dubai and Santiago. Tsitsipas will look to extend his winning run, while Garin aims to capitalize on his home-court advantage in Chile. Stay tuned for more updates and match results at News Xpress Online.
