Melbourne, Jan 22 : Stefanos Tsitsipas passed a real test of his title-winning credentials on Sunday at the Australian Open, where the third seed held firm in the face of a Jannik Sinner onslaught to clinch a thrilling 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 fourth-round victory and reach the quarterfinals, here.
Having marched through his opening three matches in Melbourne without dropping a set, the Greek was presented with the biggest test of his campaign by 21-year-old Sinner.
For the first two sets, Tsitsipas stayed on track to repeat his straight-sets quarterfinal win against the Italian in Melbourne a year ago, but his hopes of a similarly one-sided result were dashed by a remarkable change in level from his opponent.
An increasingly confident Sinner dominated the baseline exchanges in the third and fourth sets to carry the momentum into a decider on Rod Laver Arena.Yet Tsitsipas retained his composure, dialled in behind his serve and huge forehand, and clinched a decisive break in the sixth game of the fifth set en route to a gripping four-hour win.
“It was a long match, guys, I feel like I spent an entire century on this court playing tennis,” said Tsitsipas to the crowd.
“It felt so long.What a great night… I’m really excited to be sharing moments like this on the court, especially in Australia.I’m trying to do my best out here, it’s not easy.I had an unbelievable opponent on the other side of the court today, playing incredible tennis in the third and fourth sets,” he added.
The victory extended Tsitsipas’ ATP head-to-head series lead against Sinner to 5-1.The Greek, who will rise to No.1 in the ATP Rankings for the first time should he lift the trophy in Melbourne, will next take on Jiri Lehecka as he bids for a third straight Australian Open semifinal appearance #Australian #Tsitsipas #overcomes #quarterfinals #Telugu #TeluguStop #Jan #Carry
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