It went to a tiebreak, with Tsitsipas quickly wrapping it up. The Greek star was unrelenting on the forehand and forced another break for a 5-3 lead, only for Khachanov to again roar back. 'Couldn't be more ready'Ī confident Tsitsipas opened with a serve to love and applied early pressure, earning a break in game four when US Open semi-finalist Khachanov made a baseline error.īut the advantage didn't last, with the 26-year-old Russian immediately striking back to level it up when Tsitsipas netted a forehand.
He went on to reach the semi-finals that year and again in 20 - falling one match short on each occasion - to highlight the consistency that has made him a mainstay of the world's top 10 for nearly four years.Ī Grand Slam crown has remained elusive, with his runner-up showing at Roland Garros in 2021 his best result so far, falling to Djokovic in five sets after holding a 2-0 lead. Tsitsipas has thrived in Melbourne throughout his career after bursting on the scene at the 2019 event as a 20-year-old when he dethroned defending champion Roger Federer in the last 16.
Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas (L) shakes hands with Russia's Karen KhachanovAFPĪt 24, Tsitsipas is the youngest man to reach the Australian Open final since a 23-year-old Djokovic in 2011. "I'm extremely happy that I'm in the final now and let's see what happens," he added. I've been wanting for many years now to put Greek tennis on the map. I feel blessed, blessed that I'm able to play tennis at this level. "So I'm happy with the fight I put out there today. "I dreamed as a kid to maybe one day get to play in this court against the best players in the world," said Tsitsipas, who is now 10-0 for the season and on the brink of a first Grand Slam crown. Tsitsipas can top the world rankings if he wins his first Grand Slam crown on Sunday. The 18th-seeded Khachanov threatened a comeback after saving two match points to force the semi-final into a fourth set, before Tsitsipas triumphed 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3. The Greek third seed showed grit to defeat Russia's Khachanov and set up a final against either nine-time Melbourne champion Novak Djokovic or American Tommy Paul. Stefanos Tsitsipas won an Australian Open semi-final on his fourth attempt Friday, battling into the decider at Melbourne Park with a gritty victory over Russian 18th seed Karen Khachanov.
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