Tsitsipas eyes opening in Miami with Big Three out

FILE PHOTO: Tennis – ATP 500 – Mexican Open – The Fairmont Acapulco Princess, Acapulco, Mexico – March 20, 2021 Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in action during his final match against Germany’s Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Carlos Perez-Gallardo/File Photo

Stefanos Tsitsipas is keeping expectations low heading into the Miami Open but said the absence of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the tournament gives players like him a better chance for success.

The 22-year-old Greek, who is ranked fifth, reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open last month and the final of the Mexican Open on Saturday, in a solid start to what he hopes will be his breakthrough year.

“It is an opportunity, I won’t lie,” he told reporters when asked about the absence of the so-called Big Three.

“But there are plenty of good guys that aren’t in the top five that can play good tennis, as well. I can see them as a threat, too.”

Australian Open champion and world number one Djokovic withdrew from the tournament to spend more time with his family while Nadal is recovering from injuries and Federer is using the time to work his way back to the tour.

U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem will also miss the event and return to the tour during the European claycourt season. World number two Daniil Medvedev is set to lead the field.

Despite being seeded second, Tsitsipas said he did not consider himself a favorite.

“I have a pretty difficult road despite all of this,” said Tsitsipas, who will face either Brazilian Thiago Monteiro or hard-hitting South African Kevin Anderson in his first match.

“But generally speaking, it’s an opportunity. I can see it that way. Let’s hope for the best.”