Tsitsipas stays in the fight for year-end place

Stefanos Tsitsipas stayed in the thick of the chase for a place at the ATP Finals as he booked a Thursday quarter-final at the Swiss Indoors.

The world No. 11 moved into provisional 11th in the 2024 points race to the eight-man November ATP Finals in Turin with a defeat of Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6 (3), 7-5.

He  will be playing a quarter-final here for the third time in as many appearances; he reached the Basel semi-here in his last appearance five years ago.

The 26-year-old who once cracked third in the world, has only fond memories of his Tour debut at the St Jakobshalle in 2018.

“Back then it was a dream come true to play an ATP 500,” the two-time Grand Slam finalist said.

“It felt surreal to me. I’ve had some good matches here, good memories.

“They give me inspiration to continue on a grander scale in the future.”

In the race to Turin, Tsitsipas overhauled provisional No. 11 Tommy Paul, who lost an opening match this week in Vienna. 

The Greek challenger will need to keep up his winning here and next week at the season-ending Paris Bercy Masters if he is to have a chance of qualifying into the year-end field.

Tsitsipas advanced to the last eight with 25 winners in a victory lasting for an hour and three-quarters.