BarcelonaFour-time finalist next faces Korda at clay-court ATP 500
April 15, 2025
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Four-time finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas improves to 21-6 in Barcelona (file photo). By Jerome Coombe
Four-time finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas continued his impressive record at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Tuesday.
The Greek eased past big-serving Reilly Opelka 6-2, 6-2 to improve to 7-0 in opening rounds at the clay-court ATP 500 event. Tsitsipas, who has reached the Barcelona final in four of the previous six editions (2018, ‘21, ‘23, ‘24), adopted a deep return position and ultimately capitalised on 35 unforced errors from Opelka.
“I’m happy with the way I found relief through fighting, particularly in the difficult moments when he was serving,” said Tsitsipas, who improved to 2-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Opelka. “I knew the serve was going to be the trickiest part.
“I got a few metres back [returning] and used that space effectively. I felt I was able to return way more returns than initially expected. I kept my cool when I had to, it was a good win.”
Flying start ✈️
[3] @steftsitsipas posts a 6-2 6-2 victory over Opelka@bcnopenbs | #BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/IK9HJoDmIn
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 15, 2025
With his 21-6 record in Barcelona, Tsitsipas trails only Kei Nishikori (24-7) for the best among active players. The No. 16 in the PIF ATP Rankings has set a second-round meeting with American Sebastian Korda.
