#the tsitsibros

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RG MD R3: Stefanos Tsitsipas/Petros Tsitsipas def. Manuel Guinard/Gregoire Jacq [Alt] 7-6(2), 6-2 Match Stats

📸 Eurosport GB

The Tsitsibros had a solid start to this match while M. Guinard/G. Jacq tried to raise their game midway the first set, but the tie-breaker cost them as soon as Pete gained some range from the baseline, with Stef following suit thanks to his solid singles game, which tend to be more baseliner nowadays. This way, they brought M. Guinard/G. Jacq off-balance from the way the latter pair hit, which resulted in the Greek pair dominating the flow at the second set. As a result, even though the alternates had a 100% break point conversion rate from the middle of the first set, the Tsitsibros generated 4 break points throughout both sets, optimizing them by converting 75% of them, most of which came from the second set.

Furthermore, the Tsitsibros also had a more consistent service game as the match progressed. Even though they only landed 60% of their first serves, they optimized it to win 20% more of their first serve points than the French alternates, which got them out of several problems midway as they got more solid in the second set than when setting this match up with an assistant od their only ace. On the other hand, M. Guinard/G. Jacq had more problematic second serves as they only won 41% of their second serve points, 20% lower than the Greek brothers as they lost their balance in the second set, with double-faulting twice that did not help them sustain in this match.

In tomorrow's quarterfinals, where this became the only backlog of the top half of the Men's Doubles draw (partly due to the earlier rain delays), to strengthen their Olympic place confirmation in the Men's Doubles sector, the Tsitsibros will face ninth seeds Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic, who stunned the German sixth seeds, Kevin Krawietz/Tim Puetz in two tight tie-breaker sets, 7-6(3), 7-6(5). Knowing both players' balance of power, this would test the Tsitsibros' game regarding timing in execution, putting the ball in as more frequently as possible while trying not to get outhit. Considering the ninth seeds' doubles experience in the bigger stage, this could be a tough ride, but who knows!

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📸 🎥 Eurosport GB

Interestingly, their point construction contest continued at the start of the second set, where M. Guinard's tweener mid-rally continued the preceding out-smashing contest that ended in Stef's successful final smash, prompting the latter pair to lead by 2 points before holding their serves to 1-0. Interestingly, Pete also shanked to M. Guinard's final volley before the French pair held their serves to 1-1.

It was not until the fifth game of the match where Pete's working volley secured their one-point lead before his functional forehand widened the gap to 0-30, two points before generating their break point due to M. Guinard/G. Jacq's +1 forehand error. Somehow, the Tsitsibros broke to 3-2 due to another forehand error from the latter, consolidating their lead to 4-2 before a double fault opened the path for the Greek brothers to double the break due to a failed lob and Pete's final forehand for the break (5-2) before the Tsitsibros earned an opportunity to serve for the match. Despite a hiccup in forms of a double fault on match point, the Tsitsibros got it done by taking the second set 6-2, securing their maiden Grand Slam-level Men's Doubles quarterfinals together as a pair.

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📸 Eurosport GB

Meanwhile, back in Roland Garros...

A day after his straight-set singles loss against Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas took the court again with his younger brother Petros Tsitsipas (hereby the pair being referred to as the Tsitsibros) as they faced alternates Manuel Guinard/Gregoire Jacq, the former who went back to Roland Garros even though he was on his way to the Heilbronn Challenger, notably stunning 14th seeds Nathaniel Lammons/Jackson Withrow 7-6(5), 6-4 in the first round before defeating Guido Andreozzi/Rinky Hijikata 6-2, 7-6(9) in the second round. On the other hand, the Tsitsibros defeated Denys Molchanov/John-Patrick Smith 7-6(9), 6-4 in the first round before stunning fourth seeds and defending champions Ivan Dodig/Austin Krajicek 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the second round, which could mean this match might also test their balance as they construct their points.

It turned out that the setup also determined the rest of the flow while maintaining their rhythm became another challenge as G. Jacq fired a successful volley to win the fourth point of the first game even if the Tsitsibros held their service game to 1-0. Subsequently, Stef's preceding forehands won him and Pete the last 2 points before they generated the break point, which was converted due to M. Guinard's final forehand error as Stef became comfortable with the angles. They then held their service games to 3-0 and after M. Guinard/G. Jacq held their serves 3-1, it took one game before Stef and Pete became confused on whose forehand was it two shots after Pete's smash that ended in the former hitting it instead while both tried to retrieve the ball simultaneously, and despite that, M. Guinard's final volley went too far away for the Greek brothers to hold their serves to 4-1.

Afterward, a timely volley from M. Guinard/G. Jacq earlier seal their one-point lead before a forehand return ace, where they generated the break point 2 games later due to Pete's failed volley over the preceding forehand pass from the French pair. Thanks to a working forehand winner, M. Guinard/G. Jacq broke back to 4-3, and leveled the play with a service game hold to 4-4. Somehow, even though Pete had an exquisite finish through his forehand pass in response to M. Guinard's backhand to Pete's previous smash to win the first point of the said game, the French pair still held to 5-5.

Two games later, the tie-break became inevitable as it tested their balance in constructing their points. After two successful volleys from G. Jacq secured their service game holds to 2-1 in the tie-breaker, Pete's volleys also carried the Tsitsibros for a service game hold to 3-2. His backhand carriage several moments after his forehand strikes secured the mini-break to 4-2 due to M. Guinard/G. Jacq's following error afterward, and a forehand pass from Stef consolidated their lead to 5-2. It took two more points before the Tsitsibros took the first set 7-6(2) thanks to Stef's final smash to close the rally, making them one set ahead in this match.

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ITF M15 Heraklion (Nov 20) R1: Pavlos Tsitsipas [WC] def. Lior Goldenberg [Q] 6-2, 7-6(1) Match Recap

Pavlos Tsitsipas' point to *2-0 40-40 (one of the deuces, top left), Lior Goldenberg's point to break 3-0 (top right), Pavlos Tsitsipas' point to 2-1* 30-40 (bottom left), and to create his set point to 5-2* 0-40 (bottom right) (📸 ITF Media)

Pavlos Tsitsipas, the younger brother of Stefanos and Petros, as well as former junior World No. 295 (Jul 24, 2023), started to make his mark in tennis in the past few weeks when ITF Heraklion is held, this time an M15, where he received a wild card to the main draw. He faced qualifier Lior Goldenberg, who qualified for the main draw in the past few occasions, defeating Gabriel Matuszewski 7-6(5), 6-4(7), [10-5] in the final qualifying round. This could be interesting to check on both Pavlos' raw potential and Lior's singles growth simultaneously.

Somehow, Lior had an erratic start to the first set, with his forehand errors resulting in Pavlos' early break to 2-0 in the first set. Pavlos tried to save one of the break points afterward with a forehand winner, but Lior's forehand winner by then became inevitable for the latter to break back to 2-1. This was replied by Pavlos' forehand winner to secure another break point, eventually breaking to 3-1 at the cost of Lior's unforced error, which revealed his raw power and aggression. Pavlos carried the set on with a solid service game hold to 4-1, and tried to keep pressing Lior from the baseline. This worked several games later, when Lior should have served to stay in the set, but ended up having some +1 forehand errors to set Pavlos two points ahead before his failed volley in an attempt to respond to Pavlos' preceding backhand resulted in the set point creation. To top it off, Lior double-faulted, thus Pavlos asserted his dominance by taking the first set 6-2.

Pavlos Tsitsipas' point to create his match point to 6-6(6-1) (top) and to take the second set 7-6(1) (bottom) (📸 🎥 ITF Media)

Lior tried to step up in the second set, not giving any single chance to Pavlos in despite the possibility, marked by several deuces that prevented the break to happen. As a result, after 12 consecutive holds, the tie-break became inevitable, but it was insufficient for Lior to stay in the match due to several errors on return. One of those was due to Pavlos' anticipation with a swift return, catching Lior's forehand side off-guard to set a mini-break lead 2 points after starting the tie-break with an unreturned serve. He had not looked back since, even firing a successful one-handed backhand to Lior's backhand unforced error to create his match point at 6-1 in the tie-breaker. Ultimately, Pavlos served it out, taking the second set 7-6(1) to secure his path in the second round, as well as to win his first singles ATP point.

In the second round, Pavlos will face qualifier Rodrigo Alujas, who stunned Orel Kimhi 6-4, 7-6(4) in a highly competitive match, likely barring the pressure points. Pavlos' raw power would be tested a bit more considering R. Alujas' possible handling of Orel's depth under pressure, which would pave another way for a maiden ITF quarterfinal appearance for Pavlos to gain one more ATP singles point. This could be a stepping stone for Pavlos, who knows what the future will have in store for him!

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US Open MD R2: Ivan Dodig/Austin Krajicek [2] def. Petros Tsitsipas/Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4 Match Stats

📸 Eurosport

While this close match boiled down to which pair erred the fewer thanks to both pairs’ dynamic play, the winners-unforced errors ratio reflected such importance in their execution. I. Dodig/A. Krajicek went even more aggressive toward the end even though there were several hurdles in the tie-breaker, managing their depth back in the third set to stay clutch in some opportunities. As a result, they scored 5 more winners than the Tsitsibros, with a 61-12 winners-unforced error ratio. The Tsitsibros’ errors in the third set did not help as well, except erring 4 more times than Krajig in terms of their unforced errors. Furthermore, Krajig had 13 opportunities to break thanks to those, but they only broke in the first and the third sets, while the Tsitsibros had their chances, but they could not capitalize on them due to Krajig’s clutchness.

Speaking of the clutchness, the first serves played an important part in setting up the next points (or even rallies), with more emphasis to it came earlier in the first set or during some close moments, e.g. when a pair was about to break or for them to stay in the service game, by minimum. This was a result behind Krajig standing out through their first serves, having a 89% winning percentage compared to the Tsitsibros, which carried them in saving 2 of the Tsitsibros’ break points, among others (including averting some damage before they held their service games).

In the third round, Krajig will face an in-form Vasil Kirkov/Denis Kudla, who stunned the fourteenth seeds Matwe Middekloop/Mate Pavic 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 earlier today (local time). Interestingly, V. Kirkov had several Challenger deep runs (and even titles) to his name, accompanied by a more experienced Kudla, whose singles game could also be fun to watch when on. Knowing Krajig’s depth, this could boil down to some crucial points as well, balancing the baseline and the net altogether, with the latter likely being a focus. Should be an exciting match, which deserved a feature so more people can watch doubles!

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📸 🎥 Eurosport

The match entered the deciding set, where it boiled down to which pair erred the less in the crucial moments. This time, a swift forehand return from A. Krajicek resulted in Krajig's break point before its conversion to 2-1 at the expense of Stef's backhand error. The Tsitsibros had their chances, but they could not break back as Krajig managed to hold their service game to 3-1 right after.

In the seventh game, a net exchange that was finished by A. Krajicek's volley to Pete's shank resulted in them being a point ahead, but the Tsitsibros managed to avert further damage and held their service games to 4-3. They almost found another way to break back thanks to Stef's volley and another point afterward, but it was not enough as Krajig held to 5-3 at the end of the game.

Two games later, there came a moment where Krajig served for the match. Ultimately, they understood the assignment and had a flawless service game, taking the final set 6-4 to secure their spot in the third round, confirming how close this match was until it boiled down to the execution in the most important points.

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📸 Eurosport

The second set turned out to be an entirely different turnaround, where both players tried to come up with something for their chances, only for the set to be concluded with a tie-breaker. This resulted as a result of increasing intensity and some notable finishes in the rallies compared to cutting to the chase earlier in the first set, thus becoming a match of momentum in one way or another.

Right in the third game, the talking point was Pete’s tightness in the crucial points, which was also the cause of the Tsitsibros being broken for the set. Somehow, Pete double-faulted right at deuce, where Krajig got a break point before a rally that ended with Stef’s smash saved it. Interestingly, I. Dodig’s working volley finish resulted in another set point for the pair, but the Tsitsibros saved it again before they finally held that service game. There were also several occasions where the Tsitsibros opened their own paths, which included Pete’s backhand to I. Dodig’s failed volley and Stef’s volley that followed it, only for Krajig to hold that service game 3-2.

Subsequently, Krajig tried to get this done in straights and created another chance out of another net exchange, which ended with Stef’s insufficient response to A. Krajicek’s volley from the baseline. Somehow, the Tsitsibros saved 2 break points, the latest thanks to Stef’s unreturned serve; and despite A. Krajicek coming up with a volley to force a deuce, the Tsitsibros held their service game to 3-3. They tried to keep the margin close, including Stef’s cross-court forehand to set himself a point ahead in the eleventh game before Krajig held to 6-5. However, Stef’s failed volley resulted in Krajig’s match point, and they saved 4 match points in the second set (one of which came from Pete’s one-handed backhand) to force a tie-breaker.

In the tie-breaker, Stef’s ace preceded his cross-court forehand winner to I. Dodig’s failed volley, which became the crucial differential for the Greek pair to lead 3-1 in the tie-breaker. Having a set point out of another forehand winner, the Tsitsibros had their set points saved before the same cross-court forehand from Stef converted their set point to take the second set 7-6(5), bringing the match to even further distance. This was a result of an increasing intensity, which consistency (in keeping up such level) becoming the main question coming into the decider, considering the close margin between both pairs.

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📸 Eurosport

After Victoria Azarenka/Beatriz Haddad Maia got a walkover due to the withdrawal of fourth seeds Desirae Krawczyk/Demi Schuurs in the previous timeslot due to Des’ likely injury (which earned them a third-round spot in the Women’s Doubles sector, to meet fifteenth seed Miyu Kato/Aldila Sutjiadi in the Miami M1000 semifinal rematch), the Men’s Doubles action carried on with an intriguing match between the Tsitsipas brothers/Tsitsibros (Petros & Stefanos) against the second seeds Ivan Dodig/Austin Krajicek. Interestingly, the former defeated doubles frequents Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela/David Vega Hernandez 7-6(2), 6-4 in the first round, while Krajig defeated Spanish duo Roberto Carballes Baena/Bernabe Zapata Miralles 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 in a close encounter. Another close match would also be expected in this one, adding the element of chaos to this sector.

The match started with quick point constuctions, with their longer rally tolerance and its finishes becoming the main question as the match went by. Somehow, A. Krajicek had an idea to land his forehand down-the-line while trying to pass the Tsitsibros at the net, but the latter pair averted the damage and held to 3-2. However, the holding game continued until the twelfth game, where it became a cat-and-mouse game to determine if the set ended in a tie-break or not, boiling down to a few points.

There, the Tsitsibros had to save 4 set points, some of which came at the expense of their errors, with an exception of the second set point, which was a result of I. Dodig’s intuitive volley finish to a rally. However, another set point ended up being converted thanks to I. Dodig’s backhand return ace, where Stef could not come up with a proper response, hence Krajig took the first set 7-5. To conclude, the first set boiled down to the pressure points, where the balance between intuition and execution remained the most important parts, especially at the net.