Australian Open 2023: third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas wanted 4 hours and 5 units to fend off a stern problem from fifteenth seed Jannik Sinner of Italy within the males’s singles 4th-round match on the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
Melbourne,UPDATED: Jan 22, 2023 18:30 IST
Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the Australian Open 2023 quarter-final (AP Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: Stefanos Tsitsipas saved his hopes of profitable his maiden Grand Slam title on the Australian Open alive as he fended off a shocking menace from Italy’s Jannik Sinner within the males’s singles 4th spherical match on Sunday, January 22. In the night session match that thrilled the group on the Rod Laver Arena, Tsitsipas defeated Sinner in 5 units and 4 hours to succeed in the quarter-final.
third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who reached the semi-final during the last two years, defeated Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3. Tsitsipas was a relieved man on the finish of the 4-hour marathon as he recovered from a dip in depth within the third and fourth units after going 2-0 up.
Australian Open: Day 7 Highlights
Tsitsipas started on the entrance foot, taking the primary set 6-4. However, Sinner, the fifteenth seed, confirmed indicators of revival as he broke Tsitsipas as soon as within the second set solely to squander a possibility to degree the match.
However, the 21-year-old, who reached the quarter-final of all 4 Grand Slams final 12 months, raised his sport and wen toe-to-toe with Tsitsipas. Sinner, cheered on by the group which needed extra motion, produced his finest tennis, hitting winners at will to pressure a decider.
However, it was Tsitsipas who got here out all weapons firing within the deciding set. In the 4th sport of the set, the Greek star had 3 break factors however didn’t convert even one. Just when it seemed like Sinner would make one other comeback, Tsitsipas broke the Italian’s serve to go 4-2 up within the fifth set.
He by no means seemed again from there as he wrapped up the match and booked a spot within the quarter-finals.
“I feel like I spent an entire century in this court playing tennis. It felt so long. What a great night. That was superb. A ripper, as they say here,” Tsitsipas mentioned in an on-court interview.
AS CALM AS MR. LAVER
Tsitsipas will face 21-year-old Jiri Lehecka within the quarter-final on Tuesday. Jiri surprised sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime on a day of upsets on the Australian Open on Sunday.
The Greek star acknowledged the presence of legendary Rod Laver within the crowd and mentioned he tried to be as calm because the Australian star was throughout his heyday.
Tsitsipas is definitely going to be the group favourite as he goes deep into the match and the teenager has an ideal alternative to go all the way in which.
“I’m trying to do my best out here but it’s tough. Sinner played incredible tennis in the third and fourth set.
“I stayed actually calm similar to Mr Rod Laver used o do in his day. I really feel my face burning from the trouble I put in right this moment,” Tsitsipas mentioned.
Earlier within the day, 22-year-old Sebastian Korda knocked out tenth seed Hubert Hurkacz whereas high seed Iga Swiatek and seventh seed Coco Gauff have been proven the door in ladies’s singles 4th spherical.
Published On:
Jan 22, 2023
