A first surprise at the 30. TERRA WORTMANN OPEN. The Chilean Nicolas Jarry can also play on grass; he fought down the world’s no. 5, Stefanos Tsitsipas, deserved in two sets 7:6 (7) and 7:5. The 24 year-old Greek player, no. 2-seeded in Halle, is continuing his series – the series of simply not getting to the quarter finals. Tsitsipas was in round number two in 2018 and 2022, but didn’t get any further
27 year-old Jarry is still on a high this year. He was able to win the sand court tournaments in his hometown Santiago and in Genf already. At the French Open he only lost to the later finalist Casper Ruud from Norway in the round of 16. And he seems to like grass, too. After a two-set success against French Corentin Moutet, Tsitsipas was now also to be convinced by Jarry’s strength. He is now in the quarter finals, his first time in Halle. Currently the Chilean ranks as the world’s no. 28, a career high for him.
Jarry had to fend off five break points in the match against Tsitsipas, he was always able to hold his service, however. At a score of 6:5 in his favour, Jarry even had two set points, which were fended off by the Greek player. The Chilean did better in the tiebreak. First Tsitsipas gave away a set point, and then Jarry converted his last of four set points to win the first round. It was 9:7 in the deciding game. There was excitement but both opponents were not able to deliver classy grass tennis. The second set also went fairly even over a long period of time, in the eleventh game Jarry got the long desired first break of the match. He led 6:5 and brought the match home to nil. Tsitsipas can now go home; he will return 2024 to Halle to try again, perhaps then to overcome at least two rounds.
