Stefanos Tsitsipas, 4th in the world, qualified for the Australian Open final in Melbourne on Friday, his second major final after Roland-Garros 2021, by beating Russian Karen Khachanov in four sets.
Two years after his lost final at Roland-Garros, Stefanos Tsitsipas finds a Grand Slam final. He could, as in Paris, find Novak Djokovic there if the latter wins against Tommy Paul. After three semi-finals lost in Melbourne, the Greek took a step by logically dominating Karen Khachanov. Australian Open: Tsitsipas tames Khachanov and offers himself a first final in Melbourne, even if he complicated his life a little by losing the third set, after having served for the match at 5-4. “EAs a child, I saw Marcos Baghdatis play in the final here and I thought to myself that I too would like to play on these courts one day. It reminds me of childhood memories“, Jubilee the 24-year-old Greek, evoking the 2006 final lost by the Cypriot player against Roger Federer.
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Solid in the rally, inspired in return and service (18 aces, 64% of first serves) and on the attack in key moments, the 4e world has been above Khachanov. With twenty winning shots more than his opponent (66) and 29 points won on the fly on 41 climbs. The Russian, with his back to the wall, was able to save two match points in the third set, snatching the set in the tie-break, a little against the course of the game. Tsitsipas broke away 6/4 with two match points, but Khachanov scored four points in a row to come back two sets to one. But in the final round, Tsitsipas had the merit of getting back in place by making the entry break in the fourth round and maintaining the advantage. The Greek offered more variety in his game than the powerful but less creative Khachanov.
The latter has still not beaten Tsitsipas in six confrontations. As in Paris two years ago, the 4th in the world will play the final of a Grand Slam on Sunday – and will become world No. 1 if successful. But facing – probably – Novak Djokovic, he will still have to raise his level of play. One certainty: this year he becomes the youngest finalist in Melbourne since Novak Djokovic in 2011. “I love this figure!“, he launched”These are the moments for which I work a lot. There is more than one win in these big games. And I’m glad this chance comes herein Melbourne where the strong Greek community will still be behind him on Sunday.