Australian Open: The Sinner conqueror storms into the final – tennis

Stefans Tsitsipas, the high-flyer: He’s in the final. © APA / afp / WILLIAM WEST

All good things don’t come in threes, but four: After losing three semifinals at the Australian Open, Stefanos Tsitsipas finally made it into the final of the tennis Grand Slam tournament on the fourth attempt.

27 January 2023

From: apa/det

The 24-year-old Greek defeated the Russian Karen Khachanov 7: 6(2), 6: 4, 6: 7(6), 6: 3 in the Rod Laver Arena on Friday and thus lived up to his role as favorite. Jannik Sinner remains the only player who forced Tsitsipas into the fifth set at this year’s Australian Open. In the end there was a defeat for the Sextner in the round of 16. In the final there will be a duel with Novak Djokovic.

In contrast to the defeats against the Spaniard Rafael Nadal (2019) and the Russian Daniil Medvedev (2021, 2022), the game for Tsitsipas in the round of four ended as desired this time. The 26-year-old Khachanov remains a “favorite opponent” of the fourth in the world rankings, who also has a “clean slate” after the sixth direct duel. For Tsitsipas it is the second final participation in a major after the French Open 2021, where it suffered a bitter 7: 6 (2), 6: 2, 3: 6, 2: 6, 4: 6 defeat against Djokovic.

Tsitsipas and Khachanov high five. © APA / afp / MARTIN KEEP

At 24 years and 170 days, he is the youngest male finalist at Melbourne Park in 12 years. Should Tsitsipas win, he would not only celebrate his first Grand Slam triumph, but also take the lead in the world rankings. “I like that number. Those are the moments I’ve worked so hard for. It’s great not only to play for a title, but also to have the opportunity to be at the top of an entire sport’s rankings,” said Tsitsipas.