The Winston-Salem Open kicked off with a bang, delivering heart-stopping drama as top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas navigated a minefield of nerves to secure a hard-fought victory. Meanwhile, a new star emerged, with 17-year-old Cruz Hewitt etching his name into the tournament's history books.
Key Points from Day One:
- Stefanos Tsitsipas battled through late nerves, saving three match points and a set point against Jenson Brooksby to advance.
- Teenage sensation Cruz Hewitt became the youngest winner at Winston-Salem since Frances Tiafoe in 2015.
- Lucky loser Dhakshineswar Suresh celebrated his maiden ATP Tour win, a significant milestone.
- Former champion Lorenzo Sonego and Benjamin Bonzi also secured their spots in the next round.
Tsitsipas Tames the Tension in Winston-Salem Opener
It was anything but a straightforward start for Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Winston-Salem Open, as the Greek star found himself in a grinding battle against a determined Jenson Brooksby. Despite holding a strong lead, Tsitsipas faltered, letting three match points slip away in the second set, pushing the encounter to a tense tie-break.
The former World No. 3 then had to fend off a set point at 5/6 in the breaker, demonstrating remarkable resilience under pressure. Ultimately, Tsitsipas closed out the match 6-4, 7-6(6) in one hour and 40 minutes, a testament to his mental fortitude. He crucially saved seven of eight break points, highlighting his clutch play.
"Mindset is everything," Tsitsipas shared after the match, emphasizing the mental edge required in crucial moments. "Everyone can play good tennis... But when the moment gets crucial, when you have to really step it up, I feel like [mindset] is the only that helps." This victory levels his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Brooksby at 1-1. His path now leads to a second-round clash against either Luca Van Assche or Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Teen Sensation Cruz Hewitt Lights Up the Courts
Making a truly memorable tournament debut, 17-year-old Cruz Hewitt delivered one of the day's most compelling storylines. Overcoming a shaky start against American lucky loser Sebastian Gorzny, Hewitt rallied with incredible composure to secure a 1-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 victory in two hours and 10 minutes.
This monumental win makes Hewitt the youngest Winston-Salem match winner since Frances Tiafoe achieved the feat back in 2015. "He [Sebastian] played an amazing first set and I didn’t really know what to expect,” Hewitt admitted, reflecting on his comeback. "But then I thought I handled the pressure well and I came back with some better tennis than the first set.” His exciting journey continues as he prepares to face Wimbledon semi-finalist Arthur Fery in the next round.
Veterans and Breakthroughs: More Action from North Carolina
Beyond the headline acts, the Winston-Salem Open saw several other significant results, showcasing both seasoned professionals and emerging talents making their mark.
Suresh's Sweet First ATP Victory
In a moment to remember, lucky loser Dhakshineswar Suresh secured his first ATP Tour win with a dominant 6-3, 7-5 performance against Marcos Giron. The 26-year-old Indian dispatched his opponent in a swift 67 minutes, setting up a second-round encounter with eighth seed Juan Manuel Cerundolo. This breakthrough victory could be a career-defining moment for Suresh.
Sonego and Bonzi Cruise Into Next Round
Former Winston-Salem champion Lorenzo Sonego, who lifted the trophy in 2024, began his campaign strongly. He bested Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3 in a three-set affair. Sonego will now face ninth seed Adrian Mannarino in what promises to be an intriguing second-round match. Meanwhile, Benjamin Bonzi also progressed, overcoming Kamil Majchrzak 6-4, 7-6(7) to earn his spot in the next stage of the tournament.
