Stefanos Tsitsipas will not have an easy first-round match in Astana where he will face home favourite Mikhail Kukushkin. The Greek sensation has a winning record against his next opponent, but Mikhail is extremely comfortable when playing on home soil. Tsitsipas has already qualified for the ATP finals for the fourth consecutive year. Nevertheless, he did not have a smashing season so far and he will try to have a good run in Kazakhstan.
Here is a video of Stefanos’ training.
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Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2022
Now the world no.6, the Greek played his last match on the 25th of September when he lost to world no.19 Francis Tiafoe 1-6 7-6(11) 10-8 in the round robin in the Laver Cup (draw).
This year Tsitsipas has managed to achieve a compiled 47-18 record. Tsitsipas conquered 2 titles in 2022 in Monte-Carlo and Mallorca. Stefanos got to the final in Rotterdam, in Rome and in Cincinnati.
Tsitsipas is scheduled to compete next in Astana (Astana Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw on the 3rd of October.
Mikhail Kukushkin in 2022
Currently ranked no.218, Kukushkin played his last match on the 15th of September when he lost to world no.28 Tommy Paul 6-1 6-4 in the Rubber 1 of the Davis Cup (draw).
At present, during this year the Kazakhstani has achieved a 28-23 match record.
He is also scheduled to play in Florence (Firenze Open) – 10th of October and Antwerp (European Open) on the 17th of October.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Mikhail Kukushkin squared off 4 times. Their actual head to head record is 4-0 for Tsitsipas. The last time they competed against each other, Stefanos Tsitsipas won 6-3 7-5 in the 2nd round in Monte-Carlo (Monte) in April 2019.