Tennis-Tsitsipas says 'focus and relaxation' key to improved serve after win over Thiem

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - ATP 500 - Barcelona Open - Real Club de Tenis, Barcelona, Spain - April 22, 2023 Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates after winning his semi final match against Italy's Lorenzo Musetti REUTERS/Albert Gea

(Reuters) - World number five Stefanos Tsitsipas landed 39 straight first serves en route to claiming a 3-6 6-1 7-6(5) comeback win over Dominic Thiem at the Madrid Open, with the Greek crediting his focus and relaxation for his near-perfect serving performance.

Tsitsipas looked in danger of falling in his first match of the tournament on Saturday, but he found a way back into it by dominating the second set and then clinching the tie-break in the decider.