Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov knew that if they wanted to book a final spot in Melbourne, they needed to produce a superb level.
Fans that bought tickets for this semifinal match at the Rod Laver Arena certainly didn't regret it as players produced a sensational level, and three hours and 24 minutes of high-quality tennis. Only one could advance to the final, and the Greek player won all the previous meetings on the ATP Tour.
Both players traded a couple of breaks in the first set, and so it had to be decided in a tie-break. Tsitsipas proved to be a better player in the tie-break, as he won it 7-2 to take the first set.
The Greek continued to play very good tennis also in the second set. He hit 7 aces and 14 winners, and since he didn't allow his opponent to have any break points, Tsitsipas won the second set 6-4 to improve his position.
Both players produced a great level in the second set. Tsitsipas hit 24 winners, while he made only 9 unforced errors, and he was serving for the match in the tenth game of the third set. But he couldn't serve it out as Khachanov also produced a superb level, he hit 20 winners and made only 8 unforced errors, while saving two match points in the tie-break, winning it 8-6.
But Tsitsipas wouldn't allow any more drama in the fourth set. World no. 4 dictated the pace throughout the fourth set as he hit 17 winners, while making only seven unforced errors. He used one of the break points in the second game and eventually won the match 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3.
In the final, he will play against Tommy Paul or Novak Djokovic. Tsitsipas can win his first Grand Slam title, and he can also become a new world no. 1.
0 Comments