Tsitsipas edges past Royer in two tight sets in Cincinnati

Stefanos Tsitsipas needed two tight sets to see off French qualifier Valentin Royer 7-6 7-5 in the Cincinnati opening round, a match that stayed on serve until the very end of each set. The Greek landed just 52.6% of his first serves but was rarely troubled behind them, winning 70.0% of those points and, crucially, 63.9% on his second delivery. Royer's second serve was the difference: only 43.8% of those points went his way, and four double faults compounded the problem. Tsitsipas hit four aces to two and moved through without dropping a set.