Greek sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas achieved a resounding victory as he bested Milos Raonic in straight sets, securing his passage to the second round of the tournament. The triumph was particularly significant for Tsitsipas, as it unfolded on the very court where he had faced a devastating defeat a year prior.
Recalling the disappointment of his previous campaign at the US Open, Tsitsipas had encountered a stunning upset at the hands of then-94th-ranked Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan. Galan, against all odds, clinched victory in four sets, ultimately stunning the crowd with his 41 winners. The memory of that defeat was overshadowed as Tsitsipas showcased his resilience this time, conquering Milos Raonic in an emphatic straight-sets victory.
It’s straight sets for Tsitsipas! pic.twitter.com/T64GgPXgQf
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2023
Tsitsipas’ redemption was evident as he emerged triumphant on the Louis Armstrong stadium, a site that had once marked his downfall. While Milos Raonic boasted an impressive record against Tsitsipas, with a 2-0 lead in their head-to-head matchups, the Greek player displayed remarkable confidence and command throughout the match. Guided by interim coach Mark Philippoussis, Tsitsipas dictated the pace of the game, securing a convincing 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 win. Raonic, renowned for his powerful serves, was held to just eight aces and found himself committing a series of unforced errors.
Paula approves 👏
Stefanos Tsitsipas is up two sets to none vs Milos Raonic. pic.twitter.com/cHdFli3XtD
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2023
The victory couldn’t have come at a better time for Tsitsipas, who had been contending with a series of disappointing outcomes in recent tournaments. Following the match, Tsitsipas reflected on the challenge Raonic presented and his approach to overcoming it. He shared, “It was fun to play high-quality tennis against a champion like Milos. He’s dealing with a comeback and I knew he had nothing to lose. I had to bring my A game from the very first point. I made it physical and it worked.”
As Tsitsipas progresses further into the US Open, he stands poised to tackle the next challenge. Having twice reached the third round at Flushing Meadows without advancing to the second week, his eyes are now set on his upcoming match against the victor of the Dominic Stricker and Alexei Popyrin faceoff. This victory injects fresh momentum into Tsitsipas’ journey and offers the promise of greater accomplishments as the tournament unfolds.
