Stefanos Tsitsipas makes winning return in his first match since Australian Open

By PA Sport Staff

Stefanos Tsitsipas made a winning return in his first match since the Australian Open final.

The Greek world number three, beaten in straight sets by Novak Djokovic in Melbourne last month, overcame Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 7-5 6-1 to reach the last 16 of the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam.

Ruusuvuori won just four games in their only previous meeting, in Stockholm last year.

Top seed, top performance 💯

Last year's runner-up @steftsitsipas eases past Ruusuvuori in his opener 7-5 6-1.@abnamroopen | #abnamroopen pic.twitter.com/zEELcvItis

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 14, 2023

The 23-year-old had matched that tally in the opening set as he led 4-3 with a break.

But he was unable to serve out the set as top seed Tsitsipas broke twice, taking the last four games to edge ahead.

The second set was far more straightforward for Tsitsipas, 24, who wrapped up the victory in an hour and 32 minutes.