Bellucci downs Tsitsipas to continue dream run in Rotterdam

Mattia Bellucci's excellent run at the Rotterdam Open rolled on as he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach the semi-finals.

Bellucci, who downed second seed Daniil Medvedev earlier in the week, prevailed 6-4 6-2 in 86 minutes on Friday.

The 23-year-old qualifier is into his maiden Tour-level semi-final, in which he will face last year's runner-up in Rotterdam, Alex de Minaur.

"To be honest, at the beginning I felt that I was not enjoying it as much as against Medvedev," said Bellucci.

"So, I really had to do something to then make that change. But I felt I was playing great tennis, and that is maybe what brought me up.

The dream run has another chapterMattia Bellucci triumphs over Tsitsipas in Rotterdam and is through to his first ATP Tour semi-final! @abnamroopen | #abnamroopen pic.twitter.com/TVo6rqfSm5
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 7, 2025

“I really enjoyed every moment of it, also the end of the first set, even if I was a little bit against the odds.

"Also when I was serving for the first set, I was a little bit heavy on my legs, but definitely I was enjoying it and that’s what I'm really trying to do every match here. It's working.

"I know that I’m playing against amazing opponents and that every day is a big challenge, because I am still not at this level. I really have to keep the energy up. I'm looking forward to any new step."

The defeat marks another low for Tsitsipas, who was also shocked by Alex Michelsen at the Australian Open last month.

In Friday's other early match, De Minaur made light work of Daniel Altmaier, winning 6-1 6-4.