Stefanos Tsitsipas has charged into his fourth Australian Open semi-final in 5 years as he chases an elusive breakthrough grand slam title.
Tsitsipas labored his approach by way of the gears in opposition to Jiri Lehecka on Rod Laver Enviornment on Tuesday night time to deliver the younger Czech’s fairytale run to a grinding halt with a powerful and mature 6-Three 7-6 (7-2) 6-Four victory.
The No.Three seed is the highest-ranked participant left at Melbourne Park and can face Russian Karen Khachanov for a spot within the remaining.
“It felt totally different this time from another match, however a very powerful factor is I discovered an answer,” Tsitsipas mentioned.
“It was a really tough three-setter, one of the vital tough ones I had to date within the competitors.
“I needed to take care of the bottom strokes. They have been coming over the racquet from the opposite aspect of the courtroom a lot heavier, a lot deeper.
“In order that was a activity through which I actually needed to put my coronary heart on the market and provides it my greatest.”
Tsitsipas reeled off the primary set in simply 36 minutes and appeared in ominous type.
To Lehecka’s credit score, the 21-year-old, who beforehand accounted for Felix Auger-Aliassime and Cameron Norrie, took it as much as the Greek star within the subsequent set.
However Tsitsipas kicked up a gear, reeling off the primary 4 factors of the tiebreak and claiming the set comfortably.
“It turned a really essential second in that exact tiebreak of who’s going to get again into the match,” he mentioned.
“The best way I noticed it, that was my alternative to essentially take an enormous lead there and I am actually proud of the best way I closed the second set.”
Lehecka earned three break factors at 3-Three within the third set however Tsitsipas confirmed spectacular composure to haul again the sport and take the lead.
The 24-year-old earned his first match level when receiving at 5-Four within the third set and transformed it.
He’ll subsequent tackle 18th seed Khachanov, who was main Sebastian Korda 7-6 (7-5) 6-Three 3-Zero when the American retired with a wrist damage.
-AAP
