"Almost felt like a vacation this last week" - Stefanos Tsitsipas glad to get going with his Miami Open 2023 campaign as he registers first win

Stefanos Tsitsipas has registered his first Sunshine Double win of 2023. The Greek athlete outlasted Chile’s Cristian Garin in three sets 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the Round of 32 of the Miami Open.

This is only his second tour-level win following his Australian Open final stint. His previous victory came in the Round of 32 of the Rotterdam Open in February.

The player, who has been dealing with shoulder discomfort, failed to earn a single victory at Indian Wells, accepting defeat at the hands of Australia’s Jordon Thompson in the Round of 64. After an opening-round bye at the Miami Open, Stefanos Tsitsipas lucked out in the second round as his opponent Richard Gasquet withdrew from the competition due to injury.

Thus, the 24-year-old Greek was ecstatic to return to winning ways after a relatively lengthy gap.

“It’s a great feeling – getting back on the winning line,” Stefanos Tsitsipas said in the post-match interview.

The World No. 3 also admitted that the past week in Miami felt like a vacation, owing to the bye and his opponent’s withdrawal.

“I was waiting for a very long time to get out there and play. You know, it almost felt like a vacation this last week staying in Miami. So, I am glad I got started. In a way, this is something that I was looking forward to,” he stated.

The two-time Grand Slam finalist, however, confessed that he had no complaints about the second-round walkover, as it meant respite for his bugging shoulder.

“Let’s just enjoy this victory. It has been a difficult road to healing the last couple of weeks. But I’m happy (that) things are getting better. The walkover, I definitely don’t mind not playing that match. Definitely gives me more time to prepare and get ready,” he said.

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"Today's challenge was excruciating" - Stefanos Tsitsipas on his hard-fought win over Cristian Garin at the Miami Open

Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2023 Miami Open

Stefanos Tsitsipas confessed that his match-up with the in-form Cristian Garin was no cakewalk, but stated that he was happy to score a consequential break at 4-4 in the deciding set and back it up by successfully serving for the match.

“Today’s challenge was excruciating. It wasn’t easy out there,” Stefanos Tsitsipas said. “Against an opponent that has shown good tennis against top players in the past.”

“I am happy with the way things turned around – My overall confidence towards the end. I really sort of (had) eyes on the prize attitude. It was very effective – the way that I played at the very last game when he was serving. I’m happy with that,” he added.

This is Tsitsipas’ fourth consecutive final-16 appearance at the Miami Open. The World No. 3 is now scheduled for a contest against Russia’s Karen Khachanov for a spot in the quarterfinals of the event.