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AFP
Melbourne
Young Stefanos Tsitsipas signalled a changing of the guard at the top of world tennis as he shocked defending champion Roger Federer in the Australian Open fourth round on Sunday.
The NextGen Finals champion beat Federer, who is 17 years his senior, 6-7 (11-13), 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) on Rod Laver Arena.
Tsitsipas, seeded 14, became the first Greek in history to reach the quarter-finals of a Slam where he will meet Spain’s 22nd seed Roberto
Bautista Agut.
“There’s nothing really I can say to describe this,” said the 20-year-old. “I’m the happiest man on earth right now.”
The pair’s only previous meeting in the mixed team Hopman Cup earlier this month was a tight affair where Federer had won courtesy of two tiebreaks.
Federer prevailed that day but was at a loss to explain how he created 12 points to break the powerful Tsitsipas serve over four sets on Rod Laver Arena and converted none.
“It definitely didn’t go the way I was hoping on the break points,” a despondent Federer told reporters immediately after his hopes of winning a record seventh Australian Open were shattered.
‘Something is wrong’
“I also didn’t break him at the Hopman Cup, so clearly something is wrong how I return him, what I’m trying to do.
“He’s doing a good job to defend them,” added Federer.
So there was little surprise when the first set also went to 6-6 and a
decider.
It ended on a controversial note when a fan jumped the gun and shouted “out” on a Tsitsipas forehand with Federer 12-11 ahead.
The call distracted Tsitsipas, who mis-hit his next forehand and Federer put it away.
The second saw Federer constantly pressure the Greek’s serve but each time the energetic Tsitsipas resisted.
By the time the second set reached the tiebreak the gutsy Greek had already repelled 10 break points.
This time, however, Tsitsipas quickly took two points against Federer’s serve and levelled the match after just over two hours.
At 4-5 in the third, Tsitsipas forced his first two break points of the entire match but Federer weathered that storm.
But the clouds were darkening over the 20-time Grand Slam champion who was making an uncharacteristic series of mistakes, largely on his forehand wing.
On Federer’s next service game the youngster again got to 15-40, this time for set points, and a 42nd unforced error into the net saw the veteran behind in a match for the first time in the championship.
Tsitsipas called the trainer in the changeover after the seventh game of the fourth set a he began to cramp on a warm and sticky night.
Federer couldn’t take advantage of his opponent’s plight and
Tsitsipas sealed the win on his first match point in the third tiebreak of the match.
“Roger is a legend of our sport,” said Tsitsipas. “I have so much respect for him. It’s a dream come rue.”
“That moment is definitely something that I will never, ever, ever forget,” said Tsitsipas.
“This match point is going to stay, I’m pretty much sure, forever, for the rest of my life.
“I lost to a better player who was playing very well tonight,” said Federer. “Hung in there, gave himself chances at some point, stayed calm.
“It’s not always easy, especially for younger guys. Credit to him for taking care of that.”
Tsitsipas will meet Spain’s 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarter-finals.
“This win is a good milestone, let’s say good first step to something bigger,” said Tsitsipas.
Melbourne
Young Stefanos Tsitsipas signalled a changing of the guard at the top of world tennis as he shocked defending champion Roger Federer in the Australian Open fourth round on Sunday.
The NextGen Finals champion beat Federer, who is 17 years his senior, 6-7 (11-13), 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) on Rod Laver Arena.
Tsitsipas, seeded 14, became the first Greek in history to reach the quarter-finals of a Slam where he will meet Spain’s 22nd seed Roberto
Bautista Agut.
“There’s nothing really I can say to describe this,” said the 20-year-old. “I’m the happiest man on earth right now.”
The pair’s only previous meeting in the mixed team Hopman Cup earlier this month was a tight affair where Federer had won courtesy of two tiebreaks.
Federer prevailed that day but was at a loss to explain how he created 12 points to break the powerful Tsitsipas serve over four sets on Rod Laver Arena and converted none.
“It definitely didn’t go the way I was hoping on the break points,” a despondent Federer told reporters immediately after his hopes of winning a record seventh Australian Open were shattered.
‘Something is wrong’
“I also didn’t break him at the Hopman Cup, so clearly something is wrong how I return him, what I’m trying to do.
“He’s doing a good job to defend them,” added Federer.
So there was little surprise when the first set also went to 6-6 and a
decider.
It ended on a controversial note when a fan jumped the gun and shouted “out” on a Tsitsipas forehand with Federer 12-11 ahead.
The call distracted Tsitsipas, who mis-hit his next forehand and Federer put it away.
The second saw Federer constantly pressure the Greek’s serve but each time the energetic Tsitsipas resisted.
By the time the second set reached the tiebreak the gutsy Greek had already repelled 10 break points.
This time, however, Tsitsipas quickly took two points against Federer’s serve and levelled the match after just over two hours.
At 4-5 in the third, Tsitsipas forced his first two break points of the entire match but Federer weathered that storm.
But the clouds were darkening over the 20-time Grand Slam champion who was making an uncharacteristic series of mistakes, largely on his forehand wing.
On Federer’s next service game the youngster again got to 15-40, this time for set points, and a 42nd unforced error into the net saw the veteran behind in a match for the first time in the championship.
Tsitsipas called the trainer in the changeover after the seventh game of the fourth set a he began to cramp on a warm and sticky night.
Federer couldn’t take advantage of his opponent’s plight and
Tsitsipas sealed the win on his first match point in the third tiebreak of the match.
“Roger is a legend of our sport,” said Tsitsipas. “I have so much respect for him. It’s a dream come rue.”
“That moment is definitely something that I will never, ever, ever forget,” said Tsitsipas.
“This match point is going to stay, I’m pretty much sure, forever, for the rest of my life.
“I lost to a better player who was playing very well tonight,” said Federer. “Hung in there, gave himself chances at some point, stayed calm.
“It’s not always easy, especially for younger guys. Credit to him for taking care of that.”
Tsitsipas will meet Spain’s 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarter-finals.
“This win is a good milestone, let’s say good first step to something bigger,” said Tsitsipas.
