De Minaur overcomes 1-12 H2H deficit vs. Tsitsipas to start Washington title defence

Alex de Minaur successfully defended his momentum in Washington this week with a hard-fought victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Facing a challenging 1-12 head-to-head deficit against the Greek star, the top-seeded Australian turned the tables on Stadium Court to secure a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win. The match lasted two hours and required the kind of defensive resilience that has become a staple of his playing style.

This result keeps his Washington title defense on schedule. After falling behind 4-2 in the first set, he reeled off four consecutive games to take the lead. Although Tsitsipas forced a decider by leveling the sets, De Minaur regained control in the final frame. He noted after the match that he adjusted his serving strategy, which proved vital in finding a way past his opponent.

Coming off a recent personal milestone, De Minaur admitted his preparation for this tournament was abbreviated. He remains focused on the task ahead as he eyes his next opponent. He will face 17-year-old Cruz Hewitt in the second round. This match carries an additional layer of interest as the young Australian is the son of tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt, who observed the match from the stands.

De Minaur leads the professional tour with 60 match wins in ATP 500 events since the start of 2023. This victory in Washington continues a high level of performance that includes previous titles in Acapulco and Rotterdam. His ability to adapt under pressure, even when not playing his most aesthetic tennis, remains a core strength as he continues his tenure as the tournament's top seed.