Stefanos Tsitsipas praises Frances Tiafoe after tight Hopman Cup battle
Rising Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas gave credit to fellow rising star Frances Tiafoe for showing a lot of fight on the court during their Hopman Cup clash.
Tsitsipas, ranked at No. 15 in the world, edged out the American in a three-setter 6-3 6-7 (3) 6-3.
The Greek broke world No. 39 Tiafoe in the fourth game of the first set and then held on to his serve the rest of the set to clinch the opener.
The American found himself trailing by a break early on in the second set but broke back Tsitsipas to force a tie-break -- where he lost only three points to force a decider.
However, the Greek kept his focus as he got off to a quick 3-0 third-set lead as he then held on to his serve the rest of the set to clinch the win.
"He didn't want to lose, he's a big fighter and had some great results during the year,” Tsitsipas said of Tiafoe post-match, per The West Australian.
"I had to fight even harder, one of us had to fight a bit more.
"At the end it paid off. Using the right tactics, using the right patterns on the court.
"I was a bit more patient, did things a bit better and in the end deserved victory."
Greece eventually claimed a 2-1 win over the United States on Monday.
USA's Serena Williams beat Maria Sakkari in the second singles match to level the tie at 1-1.
However, the United States fell short of a comeback as Tsitsipas and Sakkari beat Tiafoe and Williams in the deciding mixed doubles match.
Also read: Thanasi Kokkinakis feels he belongs in Brisbane International main draw
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2QfO4rZ
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