🎾 ATP Barcelona: Tsitsipas vs Opelka

🎾 ATP Barcelona: Tsitsipas vs Opelka – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🇬🇷 Stefanos Tsitsipas

• 2025 Record: Quarterfinalist in Monte Carlo
• Barcelona History: Four-time finalist, 6–0 in opening rounds
• Surface Comfort: Clay suits his topspin forehand and one-handed backhand
• Monte Carlo Recap: Led Musetti 6-1 before fading in QF loss
• Mental Check: Looking to rebuild confidence and rhythm

🇺🇸 Reilly Opelka

• 2025 Record: 11–7 overall, no matches on clay yet
• Clay History: First clay match since 2022; 0–1 in Barcelona career
• Strengths: Big serve, short points, flat power game
• Surface Concern: Game style is muted by slow, high-bounce conditions
• Recent Highlight: Defeated Djokovic earlier in 2025

🔍 Match Breakdown

This matchup is all about surface contrast. Tsitsipas excels on clay, where his topspin forehand and improved rally tolerance thrive. Opelka, by contrast, relies on quick points and big serving—both of which are blunted in Barcelona’s slow, gritty conditions.

Tsitsipas will aim to stretch rallies, move Opelka side to side, and expose his clay-court movement. The Greek’s one-handed backhand—often tested on hard courts—becomes much more reliable here, particularly against Opelka’s flatter strokes.

If Opelka lands a high first-serve percentage and shortens points, he could take a set. But over time, Tsitsipas’ clay court IQ and fitness are likely to wear him down.

🔮 Prediction

Pick: Tsitsipas in straight sets

Expect a tight opener if Opelka serves well, but Tsitsipas should outlast him in long rallies and capitalize on break chances to seal a confident win.