Tsitsipas' nod to Rod Laver after epic win

1 year ago 71

While Novak Djokovic, whose fourth-round lucifer against Australia's Alex de Minaur connected Monday, is the lone antheral near with a Grand Slam rubric — and he's got 21 of them, 9 astatine Melbourne Park — Stefanos Tsitsipas is the lone different past large finalist inactive around.

The No. 3 effect bushed No. 15 Jannik Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 successful precisely 4 hours.

He was the runner-up to Djokovic astatine Roland Garros successful 2021 and has reached the semifinals successful Australia 3 times.

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Tsitsipas, a 24-year-old from Greece, looked terrific against Sinner for 2 sets Sunday night, thing little than terrific for 2 sets, past surged to triumph by breaking to pb 4-2 successful the fifth.

"Stayed truly calm, conscionable similar Mr. Rod Laver utilized to bash successful his day," said Tsitsipas, shouting retired the stadium's namesake, who was successful attendance.

The adjacent hostile volition beryllium Czech underdog Jiri Lehecka, who upset No.6 effect Felix Auger-Aliassime earlier connected time seven.

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Lehecka began the tourney by eliminating No.21 effect Borna Coric. He bushed a wildcard successful circular two, past shocked No.11 effect Cameron Norrie successful a circular 3 five-set epic.

"He's been playing truly good, and rising successful the rankings," Auger-Aliassime said of his hostile afterwards.

"I retrieve seeing him past twelvemonth astir aforesaid clip successful Rotterdam. He made the semi-finals, and helium was playing truly well. I'm definite we volition spot a batch of him successful the future."

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