Grigor Dimitrov, Stefanos Tsitsipas. Very heavy bites for the first two rounds of the Grand Slam.
But no problem for the native of Beroun. He lost only one set en route to the third round of the Australian Open.
In Thursday’s match against the Greek champion, he also showed better concentration and a stronger psyche. While Tsitsipas was constantly swearing on the court, throwing a racket or wildly gesticulating towards the coach’s box, where his no less temperamental father was sitting, Cech kept a stoic calm.
“It was a mentally demanding match, he is very experienced. But I think that mentally I had the upper hand in the key moments, because I came with the title on my back and now I am very much won,” Macháč admitted in an interview with Eurosport.
Similar to the battle against Dimitrov, the Czech tennis player was a more consistent player, especially from the baseline, and he twice managed the final shortened game better.
Even the defeated former third player in the world paid homage to Macháč.
“Tomas played very well, he was completely flawless in the decisive moments. I couldn’t have been better than him at that moment,” said Tsitsipas.
The 25-year-old Czech tennis player now faces questions about where his sudden form comes from, having already won seven matches in a row.
“During the winter training, I almost didn’t train because my knee hurt since the end of the season. That’s my know-how,” laughed Macháč.
“I didn’t play practically anything, it’s an extreme miracle that I was able to prepare so well for Australia,” he added.
Even though he defeated a seed in the second round, it certainly does not mean that he will have an easier job at the weekend. In the fight for the round of 16, he will challenge Italian Lorenzo Musetti, world number five.
“It’s a positive challenge, I’m happy to be able to play with the best. When I came to Australia after a sore knee, what I would have given to win two hundred and fifty and advance to the third round of the Grand Slam,” confided Macháč.
If possible, the Czech tennis player would improve his best in Melbourne. He also played the third round of the Australian Open last year, when he was stopped by the Serbian Novak Djokovic.
