Stefanos Tsitsipas is probably the most exciting young talent in men’s tennis. His meeting of the Australian Open with defending champion Roger Federer on Sunday proved it when he scored an impressive victory.
Among a talented generation, 20-year-old Greek Tsitsipas stands out for his flowing curly locks and extravagant play, but his fighting spirit may be his greatest asset, and he has abounded in beating the dangerous Nikoloz Basilashvili in the city could third round.
And Tsitsipas improved his reputation in a game that included the oldest and youngest players in the men’s draw. 20-year-old Tsitsipas overtook 37-year-old Federer 6-7 (11) 7-6 (3) 7-5 7-6 (5) under the lights of the Rod Laver Arena, delirious with Greek fans at Melbourne Park triggers.
Federer will not shy away from his chances as he has failed to transform one of the 12 breakpoints he attacked by Tsitsipas during a rousing battle with sparkling firearms.
Tsitsipas will now play the 22nd Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the semi-finals.
Tsitsipas is the next-gen final winner in 2018 and is the youngest male player to win the ATP Top 20 rankings, and is currently number 15 in the world – a career high.
Similar to his first matches at the tournament, Tsitsipas had several hundred enthusiastic Greek fans in the Rod Laver Arena for his game against the Swiss star.
Tsitsipas played Federer at the Hopman Cup two weeks ago. One of the many pointers to the success and experience difference between these two men: the 37-year-old Federer appeared in his 101st match in the main stadium of Melbourne Park; Tsitsipas his first.
Despite his talent, the young Greek also has a temperament and after the referee decided to replay a set point for Tsitsipas in his third clash with Basilashvili in the third set with Basilashvili in the third set, the 14th seed opened.
Tsitsipas squeezed his language and apologized, saying, “It was heat of the moment, I said some really bad things, I regret having said them, but I really wanted that very badly.”
“At that moment it felt like it was slipping (off), then somehow he found comfort and confidence, I was really frustrated, I did not quite think about what I said, I wish I could and would change that do not do it. ” I do not say that. It is not the right attitude. “
Melbourne’s Greek population turned out to support Tsitsipas and his compatriot Maria Sakkari, and there were many young fans in the Margaret Court Arena.
In an interview with the Telegraph last July, Tsitsipas said he nearly drowned in Heraklion at the age of 16, after he was caught in a tidal wave before being rescued by his father.
“The waves covered us every two or three seconds,” he said. “For the first time in my life, I felt like I was dying a few seconds.”
