Stefanos Tsitsipas is eyeing the world No.1 ranking and a breakthrough grand slam title after choking in his first final against the man who denied him a maiden championship.
Tstisipas booked a spot in the Australian Open final with a hard-fought triumph over Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 in Friday’s first semi-final at Rod Laver Arena, extending his 2023 winning streak to 10 matches as his Australian coach Mark Philippoussis watched on from the Greek star’s box.
It was a case of fourth time lucky for Tsitsipas, who fell at the semi-final hurdle in three of his previous four appearances at what he regards as his ‘home’ major in Melbourne.
The 24-year-old in his first Open final on Sunday will face nine-times winner Novak Djokovic who thrashed American Tommy Paul 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 in the later game on Friday night.
The championship decider will be Tsitsipas’ second grand slam final after he infamously relinquished a two-set lead against Djokovic at Roland Garros in 2021.
There was no sign on Friday night of Novak Djokovic’s father Srdjan, who watched his son’s semi-final from off site after a video emerged showing him posing at the Australian Open with fans holding Russian flags.
“So there is no disruption to tonight’s semi-final for my son or for the other player, I have chosen to watch from home,” he said in an emailed statement earlier in the day.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, had called for Djokovic’s father to be banned from the Open for posing with supporters of Russian president Vladimir Putin outside Melbourne Park on Wednesday night.
Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
Tsitsipas, who is ranked fourth, will claim the world No.1 mantle the first time if he lifts the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup. “I like that number. It’s all about you, it’s singular, it’s one,” Tsitsipas said.
“These are the moments that I’ve been working hard for; to be able to play in finals like this, but finals that have a bigger meaning than just the final.
“It’s a grand slam final, I’m fighting for the No.1 spot, it’s a childhood dream to be capturing the No.1 spot one day. I’m close.
“I’m happy that this opportunity comes here in Australia and not somewhere else because this is a place of significance.”
Djokovic raced out to a 5-1 lead in the first set against his unseeded American opponent but Paul fought back, saving a set point, to draw level.
But the former world No.1 struck back and broke Paul to take the first set.
After again seeming to struggle early in the second set with his ongoing hamstring woes, Djokovic was again dominant as he conceded just one game.
It looked like he would obliterate Paul in the third set after breaking him twice but Paul managed to at least hold serve twice as he went down in straight sets in his first grand slam semi-final.
“It’s all business on Sunday for both of us. Let the better player win,” Djokovic said. “Winning grand slams and being the No.1 in the world is probably the two biggest peaks that you can climb as a professional tennis player. So, yeah. Let’s see what happens.”
It was not all smooth sailing in the semi-final for Tsitsipas, who was twice up a break in the first set before being pegged back and sent to a tiebreaker.
He was also called for foot faults several times during the first two sets as he repeatedly stepped across the centre service line.
The succession of calls clearly confused Tsitsipas before the chair umpire clarified what the issue was.
Tsitsipas wasted two match points against the 18th seed during the third set before securing his sixth – and most important – win in as many career meetings with Khachanov.
“I thought how hard I’ve worked to get to this position and it takes a little bit more,” Tsitsipas said after the three-hour, 21-minute battle.
“I wasn’t able to deliver that on the third set.
“I was extremely close to getting it, but it’s one of those moments that if you stick around and dedicate yourself even more and if you concentrate on these important moments even more, it pays off quite well.”
Tsitsipas said he was inspired by Marcos Baghdatis’ run to the 2006 Australian Open final – which he lost to Roger Federer – drawing on the Cypriot cult hero’s fighting qualities.
“Unfortunately it didn’t go his way but he’s in our hearts and I always consider him one of my favourites,” Tsitsipas said.
“I feel blessed for the fact that I’m able to play tennis at this level.
“I’ve been wanting for many years now to put Greek tennis on the map, and me and Maria (Sakkari) have done an incredible job, I think.”
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