Just hours into the 2023 season and already a big milestone: Stefanos Tsitsipas has recorded the 250th win of his career.
In a battle of former No. 3s at the United Cup in Perth, Tsitsipas hit that number with a 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4) win over Grigor Dimitrov, his sixth win in seven career meetings with the Bulgarian.
This one could have gone either way, though.
Not only did Tsitsipas drop the first set, he was also two points from losing serving at 5-6, 15-30 in the third set. But he won six straight points from there to hold for 6-all and jump out to an early 3-0 lead in the tie-break, and he never fell behind again.
“What can I say, it was really good from both sides,” Tsitsipas said. “It was very unfortunate for my opponent Grigor today, you know, it was extremely close. I think he was one point away, and that made the difference. I’ll take it, it was a good effort from my side.”
Tsitsipas is the eighth man born in 1990 or later to record 250 career wins, and just the third man born in 1995 or later to do it.
MEN BORN IN 1990 OR LATER WITH 250+ CAREER WINS (tour-level):
372: Milos Raonic [born in 1990]
372: Grigor Dimitrov [born in 1991]
339: Alexander Zverev [born in 1997]
327: Dominic Thiem [born in 1993]
319: David Goffin [born in 1990]
267: Daniil Medvedev [born in 1996]
267: Pablo Carreno Busta [born in 1991]
250: Stefanos Tsitsipas [born in 1998]