By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday February 29, 2024
Alex De Minaur snapped a 10-match losing streak against Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach the semifinals at Acapulco.
Photo Source: TTV
Nobody beats Alex de Minaur 11 times in a row.
The surging Aussie made sure of that on Thursday evening in Acapulco by notching a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 triumph over his longtime nemesis Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Defending Abierto Mexicano Telcel champion De Minaur snaps a ten-match losing streak to the Greek and stretches his Acapulco win streak to eight – he is the first defending champion to reach the semifinals in Acapulco since David Ferrer did so in 2013.
"Every time I've got to play him I get reminded about my [head-to-head record against Tsitsipas]," De Minaur said on court post-match. "I'm glad I got one on the board. I would like to say that no one beats me 11 times in a row, but hey... Stefanos has had my number for a very long time, so I'm glad I was able to get one back."
In tricky conditions De Minaur had the worst possible start, but after dropping the opening set in rapid fashion, he got the wake up call and became engaged in the struggle.
Tsitsipas seemed to lose the plot as the 25-year-old Aussie kept grinding in a positive direction, and eventually claimed the second set and took a break lead at 4-2 in the third.
There was pushback from the Greek late in the third but by then De Minaur was a man well and truly on a roll. Tsitsipas saved three break points to stay within a break at 4-3, but De Minaur would not be denied. He held for 5-3 and broke Tsitsipas to claim his victory in two hours and seven minutes.
De Minaur is into his 23rd career ATP semifinal and improves to 13-4 on the season. He will face Great Britain’s Jack Draper in the semis. Draper has dropped just 11 games through three rounds in Acapulco. He got past Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic, 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday.
Ruud Tops Shelton
Ben Shelton came through a dramatic opening set tiebreak, saving two set points to eventually take it, but the American couldn't crack Ruud's serve all evening and eventually wilted under the constant pressure of the Norwegian, 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-4.
Ruud reaches his first semifinal at Acapulco and will face Holger Rune, the No.2 seed, for a spot in the final.
Ruud took out Dominik Koepfer in two tight sets, 7-6(2), 7-6(0). The Dane has now reached back-to-back semifinals at Acapulco.
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