- French Open draw ceremony produces a Djokovic-Nadal quarter, Alcaraz also in top half
- Roland Garros Men’s and Women’s Draws: Osaka vs. Anisimova in First Round
- World No. 2 Barbora Krejcikova Signs with Fila
- The 20-Year Grand Slam Streak of Feliciano Lopez Has Come to an End
- Roland Garros Qualifying Draws and Schedule for Thursday, May 19th
- Roland Garros Qualifying Draws and Schedule for Wednesday, May 18th
- Gael Monfils Withdraws from Roland Garros
- Roland Garros Qualifying Draws and Schedule for Tuesday, May 17th
- Roland Garros Qualifying Draws and Schedule for Monday, May 16th
- Djokovic builds momentum for French Open 2022 with sixth Rome Masters Tennis title
- Novak’s Back: Djokovic Beats Tsitsipas for Sixth Rome Crown
- Rome ATP and WTA Draws and Schedule for Sunday, May 15th
- Stefanos Tsitsipas Defeats Alexander Zverev to Reach Maiden Rome Final
- Iga Swiatek Scores 26th Straight Win, Sets up Rome Semifinal vs. Sabalenka
- Rome ATP and WTA Draws and Schedule for Saturday, May 14th
Tsitsipas to Pass Federer for No. 5 in rankings, Rublev also Advances in Rotterdam ATP Tennis
- Updated: March 5, 2021

By Ricky Dimon
It hasn’t been easy for Stefanos Tsitsipas at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, but he has managed to win three matches so far this week. His reward is not only a berth in the semifinals of the season’s first 500-point tournament, but also a ranking of No. 5 in the world this coming Monday. Tsitsipas will leapfrog Roger Federer, who has not played in more than a year but will return at next week’s Dubai Duty Free Championships.
Tsitsipas continued his Rotterdam run with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Karen Khachanov on Friday afternoon. The Greek improved to 3-0 lifetime in the head-to-head series but needed two hours and 42 minutes to do so.
It has been a grueling week for Tsitsipas, who beat Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 after more than two hours during second-round action. He also has the doubles quarterfinals with his brother later on Friday. Thus the grind continues following his battle with Khachanov.
“He was playing great tennis and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to compete,” Tsitsipas said of the unseeded Russian. “I had an amazing 5-0 lead in the second set and that brought a lot of confidence into my game.
“We had great rallies and the quality of tennis was excellent. You need to stay as calm as possible in three-setters. I have won a lot in the past and with experience, it gives me an idea of how to play in these tight moments.”

There were plenty of tight moments in the second quarterfinal of the day, as well. Qualifier Jeremy Chardy was not about to end his productive stay in the Netherlands without a fight, and he threw everything he had at world No. 8 Andrey Rublev. Chardy saved two match points from 5-6, 15-40 down in the second set and forced a third before falling 7-6(2), 6-7(2), 6-4 in two hours and 39 minutes.
Rublev struck 15 aces without double-faulting a single time. The world No. 8 was broken four times, but he made up for it with five breaks of his own.
“It was a really tough match against Jeremy,” said Rublev, who will face Tsitsipas on Saturday. “It was a bit of drama in the end…. I will try as much as I can to be ready for tomorrow. Stefanos had two tough matches and now he has to play doubles. It’s not easy, but that’s the sport like this. We have to accept it.”
Ricky contributes to10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.