Stefanos Tsitsipas suffered a horrible defeat against Denis Shapovalov in the second round of the Miami Open.
Tsitsipas failed to create a single breakpoint opportunity against Shapovalov, who has been struggling with injuries and form for over a year.
Tsitsipas hasn’t had a great season so far. Last year’s Australian Open runner-up couldn’t defend his points, crashed in the fourth round against Taylor Fritz, and was also unable to defend his Los Cabos title. He holds a current live ranking of world No. 11.
Tsitsipas was coming off a successful 2018 campaign during which he announced himself to the world by beating Novak Djokovic en route to the final of the Canadian Masters Open.
The then 20-year-old sublimely ended the year by winning the Next Gen Finals, defeating the likes of Andrey Rublev, Hubert Hurkacz, Frances Tiafoe, and Alex de Minaur.
The Greek started the 2019 season in the same manner, upsetting defending champion Roger Federer in four sets at the Australian Open.
He had a great 2019 season, making his top-10 debut and winning 54 matches, five of which were against the Big 3. Tsitsipas finished the year similarly to 2018, this time winning the ATP Finals.
Tsitsipas’s aggressive and fearless play style suited every surface. With a great forehand, good serve, and good volleys, he was touted to be the next big thing in tennis.
Stefanos Tsitsipas was in great form when he entered Roland Garros in 2021, having won his first Masters 1000 title in Monte Carlo.
A final in Barcelona and another title in the Lyon Open followed. In the Roland Garros final against Djokovic, the former world No. 3 was up two sets to love and on the verge of becoming a Grand Slam champion but ultimately lost in five sets.
