Progressing towards his first ATP tour title of 2023, Stefanos Tsitsipas continues to bring his A-game at Los Cabos Open. The Greek did a quick work of Hopman Cup winner Croatia’s Borna Coric 6-3, 6-2 on Friday night in Los Cabos to enter his third final of the tour this season. Under scathing heat and very challenging humid conditions of the Mexican Pacific coast, the top-seed at Mifel Tennis Open by Telcel Oppo delivered a dominant semifinal performance as he sealed the 72-minute match without facing a break point.
“Once again, it’s joyful playing on this court,” said Tsitsipas in his on-court interview. “I made myself feel very comfortable today, I’m very happy with that. It’s not easy under these circumstances to reach that level of comfort and I’m really happy with the way things were put together.”
Top-seeded at the ATP 250 tourney, a single break in the sixth game of the first set was enough for the “will be Greek Freak” to wrap the opener and after clubbing 20 winners to Coric’s 7 seven, there was not much left for the Croat.
He will face off Alex de Minaur in the title match on Saturday for his 10th meeting against the Aussie. Alex and Tsitsipas have some rivalry now as the players have squared up against each other 9 times with former yet to record a win against the latter. However, despite a clean sheet, the world No. 5 is taking nothing for granted as he is bidding to earn his maiden ATP outdoor hardcourt title this year.
“It’s a brand new match for me,” said Tsitsipas. “He’s someone that has played a lot of matches this week, so he’s on a good run. So am I. I’m going to try and put up a fight out there and give it my best shot. Tomorrow is a big fight for me.”
Meanwhile, the Australian edged past Dominik Koepfer 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-1 to improve 9-0 in Mexico after having a triumphant run at Acapulco. He converted seven of nine break points against German to reach his 13th ATP Tour final.
“Today was a battle. I knew it was never going to be easy against Dominik,” said De Minaur. “He’s been playing some great tennis recently and he’s very dangerous in these conditions. Mexico has treated me very well this year, so hopefully I can go one further tomorrow.”