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Australian Open: Stefanos Tsitsipas back on dangerous terrain

Stefanos Tsitsipas is in the semifinals of the Australian Open for the fourth time. So far he hasn't seen the light at this stage of the first major of the year.

by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jan 26, 2023, 03:18 pm

Will Stefanos Tsitsipas make it to the final of the Australian Open for the first time?
© Getty Images
Will Stefanos Tsitsipas make it to the final of the Australian Open for the first time?

The last seasons have often followed the following pattern for Stefanos Tsitsipas: Strong start to the season, in spring on clay there are already the highlights (like the two titles in Monte Carlo) - and then it gets hairy. Even if the title in Mallorca looked out last summer. Only in 2019 there was another big highlight in autumn - the triumph at the ATP Finals in London.

Up to a certain point, you can always rely on Australia. Especially this year: The appearances at the United Cup were all successful, with the exception of Jannik Sinner, no opponent at the Australian Open was able to bring Tsitsipas to the brink of defeat.

But now the 24-year-old from Athens has to clear a hurdle he has cleared three times in the last four years: the semi-finals in Melbourne.

No chance against Nadal and Medvedev

2023 should be different. And the omens are not bad at all with Karen Khachanov as an opponent. Because four years ago Stefanos Tsitsipas entered the tournament as number 15 in the ATP world rankings, after the surprising victory against Roger Federer in the quarter-finals in the semi-finals against Rafael Nadal, who was in second place, with 2: 6, 4: 6 and 0 :6 lost.

Two years later, Tsitsipas had already climbed to sixth place in the charts, but after the comeback success against Nadal he still went into the semi-final match against Daniil Medvedev (then number four) as an outsider on paper. The result was clearly in the Russian's favor - 6:4, 6:2 and 7:5.

Tsitsipas still undefeated against Khachanov

A year ago, Tsitsipas won his first set in a semifinal at the Australian Open. In the end, however, Daniil Medvedev again advanced to the final with 7: 6 (4), 6: 4, 4: 6 and 6: 1. At that time, Tsitsipas was fifth in the ranking, while Medvedev was third (number one, as is well known, Novak Djokovic was not allowed to start).

Why could it be different tomorrow Thursday? Because Karen Khachanov is finally waiting for an opponent who is behind Stefanos Tsitsipas in the ATP world rankings (Khachanov is number 20, Tsitsipas number four). And because Tsitsipas has won all five previous duels with his Russian opponent. So it's set for the second Grand Salm final in Stefanos Tsitsipas' career after that in Roland Garros 2021.

Here is the individual tableau in Melbourne

laver arena

by Jens Huiber

Thursday
Jan 26, 2023, 05:35 pm
last edit: Jan 26, 2023, 03:18 pm