Bellucci backs up Medvedev shock with Tsitsipas win in Rotterdam

The good times keep on rolling for Mattia Bellucci at the ABN AMRO Open.

The Italian qualifier extended his dream run at the indoor hard-court ATP 500 in Rotterdam with an impressive 6-4, 6-2 victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday afternoon. Bellucci, who upset Daniil Medvedev in the second round for his first Top 10 win, played aggressively throughout against Tsitsipas to sink the World No. 12 in 86 minutes.

The dream run has another chapter 🌟

Mattia 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

“To be honest, at the beginning I felt that I was not enjoying it as much as against Medvedev,” said Bellucci after his win. “So I really had to do something to then make that change. But I was feeling that I was playing great tennis, and that is maybe what brought me up.”

Now into his maiden ATP Tour semi-final, the 23-year-old Bellucci will meet third seed Alex de Minaur on Saturday for a spot in the championship match. The No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings, 2024 Rotterdam finalist De Minaur earlier eased past Daniel Altmaier in his quarter-final.

The pivotal moments in Bellucci’s victory came towards the tail end of the first set. The Italian fended off two break points to hold for 4-4 and then broke Tsitsipas’ serve in the next game, expertly capitalising on three unforced errors from the Greek. Serving for the set at 6-5, Bellucci again came under pressure on his own delivery, but he pulled off a forehand pass winner at 30/40 and went on to serve out for the set.

That sequence of events appeared to take the wind out of Tsitsipas, who could not match Bellucci’s energy levels and ballstriking into the second set. The Italian reeled off five straight games from 0-1 and, although he let slip his first match point on return at 5-1, 30/40, he promptly served out to love in the next game for a comprehensive win.

“I really enjoyed every moment of it, also the end of the first set even if I was a little bit against the odds,” said Bellucci. “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, so I’ll be doing it also tomorrow.”

Having started the week at a career-high World No. 92, Bellucci has risen 24 spots to No. 68 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings as a result of his Rotterdam run so far.

“I think I did big work, also during matches, with my coach,” said Bellucci, when asked about his continued rise. “I was really speaking about it and he said that sometimes I was a little bit thoughtful on court, and he wanted me to be a little bit more free. So I think I’m doing it pretty well, and 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. Maybe I can play two or three matches, but then I really have to keep the energy up. But I’m definitely looking forward to any new step.”

Bellucci will hope his next sign of progress comes along on Saturday, when he takes on De Minaur in the semi-finals. The World No. 8 booked his last-four spot by easing past Altmaier 6-1, 6-4 in the pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash. Despite the straightforward scoreline, the Australian was still forced to face five break points, and he crucially saved four of them according to Infosys ATP Stats.

“It felt like a battle with the opponent, the conditions, a little bit of everything,” said De Minaur. “I’m happy I managed to get up for it and play some good tennis, and dig very deep when I needed to.”