After five consecutive appearances at the ATP Finals, Stefanos Tsitsipas will most likely skip this year’s edition of the premium ATP event. The Greek suffered the quarter-final loss in Antwerp, falling to Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 and extending his poor streak. Stefanos has accumulated only four semi-finals this year, the most notable ones in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He fell in the quarter-final in Rome, Roland Garros and the Olympic Games, struggling to excel his game outside clay. The 2019 ATP Finals champion will have to chase deep returns in Basel and Paris to stand a chance to reach Turin, although he also needs more poor results from Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud. The 5th seed outplayed the 2nd seed on an indoor court in Antwerp, dominating with his first serve and never facing a break point. Tsitsipas claimed 11 points in ten return games and felt the pressure behind the initial shot, giving away 38% of the points and suffering two breaks from seven chances presented to his opponent.
Jiri Lehecka, Antwerp 2024© Stream screenshot
Jiri Lehecka defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in Antwerp.
Jiri claimed 12 points more, attacking first and taking charge in the shortest rallies up to four strokes, with nothing separating them in the more advanced ones. The Greek held at love in the opening game of the match before experiencing a break chance at 1-1. He saved it after the rival’s groundstroke error and held, remaining on the positive side and avoiding an early setback. Lehecka held at love in the fourth game and fired a forehand winner in the next one for a break chance. The better-ranked player denied it with a forehand winner and produced another hold. Stefanos sprayed a volley error in the sixth game and faced more issues on his serve in the next one.
Jiri Lehecka & Stefanos Tsitsipas, Antwerp 2024© Stream screenshot
The 2nd seed denied three break points before falling on the fourth, playing a wayward forehand and propelling his rival in front. The Greek extended the battle after deuces in the ninth game, but the Czech wrapped up the opener with a hold at 15 at 5-4 for the advantage after 46 minutes. Jiri served well in the second set and built the crucial advantage with an early break. He cracked a forehand down the line winner in the first game, moving in front and cementing the lead with a fine hold a few minutes later. Both players served well in the upcoming games, with the 5th seed controlling the scoreboard after a flawless performance behind the initial shot. Tsitsipas served to stay in the match at 3-5 and smashed a forehand down the line winner, holding at love and prolonging the battle. Still, Lehecka kept his composure and landed four winners in the tenth game, sealing the deal in style and reaching the semi-final.