Tsitsipas comeback continues with Montreal first-round win

Stefanos Tsitsipas continued his resurgence on the tennis circuit with a convincing 6-4, 6-4 victory over Martin Damm in the first round of the Montreal Masters on Tuesday. The Greek star, currently ranked 53rd, showcased improved form after a period of fluctuating rankings, securing a 98-minute win that sets him up for a clash against Brazilian qualifier Joao Fonseca in the next round. Tsitsipas, who had previously been under the guidance of his father Apostolos, recently made a coaching change, moving to the French academy led by Patrick Mouratoglou. This shift appears to be yielding positive results, as the former world number three displayed composure and tactical awareness throughout the match. He dominated the early stages, taking the first set with ease before facing challenges in the second. Despite losing a crucial break, Tsitsipas recovered to build a 5-2 lead, eventually sealing the match with a decisive forehand winner. Speaking after the win, Tsitsipas acknowledged the importance of focusing and maintaining concentration during matches. “Tennis is about milliseconds,” he remarked. “Getting properly behind the ball and being constantly well positioned. I need to focus on how to do that in the best possible way.” He emphasized the value of having a trusted coach, stating, “I want it to be done with a coach that I am happy with right now... someone that I trust.” The match saw Tsitsipas battle through moments of pressure, particularly after Damm managed to break back. However, the Greek player remained resilient, ultimately prevailing in a tightly contested encounter. His performance highlighted his determination to regain consistency following a challenging phase in his career. Other notable results from the day included Hubert Hurkacz, the 2022 Montreal Masters finalist, returning from a knee injury sustained at Wimbledon. Hurkacz secured a hard-fought 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Marcos Giron, demonstrating his readiness to compete at the highest level. Meanwhile, Britain’s Jakob Fearnley, who reached the final of a hard court Challenger tournament last month, advanced past French veteran Adrian Mannarino with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win. Fearnley overcame more than 30 unforced errors to set up a meeting with 13th-seeded Czech Jakub Mensik. The Montreal Masters has become a key stage for many players seeking to rebuild their momentum, and the early rounds have already delivered compelling performances. As the tournament progresses, fans will be watching closely to see how these emerging narratives unfold, especially with Tsitsipas continuing to show signs of his former brilliance.