Stefanos Tsitsipas is just one win away from fulfilling two dreams which occupied his dream space as a child – achieving grand slam success in Melbourne and becoming the world’s No.1 player in the sport he adores.
The Greek world No.4 advanced to his second major final with a calm, composed and impressive four-sets victory over Russian Karen Khachanov on Friday.
Stefanos Tsitsipas is into the men’s final.Credit:Eddie Jim
Little has gone wrong for Tsitsipas on this trip to Melbourne, a city he first visited as a junior in 2015, and now, aged 24 and approaching the prime of his career, the 2021 Roland Garros runner-up is oozing confidence that it’s his time at the top.
“I’m playing great tennis,” Tsitsipas said after eliminating Khachanov 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3.
“I’m enjoying myself. I just see no downside or negativity in what I’m trying to do out there. Even if it doesn’t work, I’m very optimistic and positive about any outcome, any opponent that I have to face.
“This is something that has been sort of lacking in my game. I genuinely believe in what I’m able to produce.
“That is more than enough. I go about this way. I do this with a lot of … I strive for it every single day. It might not go the way I want it to, but I put 110 per cent out there.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas belts a forehand return against Karen Khachanov.Credit:AP
Tsitsipas will play nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic for the men’s title in two days after Djokovic rolled over American Tommy Paul on Friday night.
A guaranteed elevation to the top rung in men’s tennis for Tsitsipas will come with one more win, meaning Tsitsipas will be one of the new breed (the group outside of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer) alongside Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz as players to achieve the spot since Andy Murray was there in 2016.
Stefanos Tsitsipas.Credit:Eddie Jim
“I remember watching it on TV saying to myself, I want to be there [in the No.1 spot] one day myself. I want to recreate that feeling for me,” Tsitsipas said about the ranking.
“I knew that’s a very long journey to get there. There are certain steps you have to take to give yourself the chance to be competing for something like this.
“But I very much believed it. I very much believed it. First of all, it’s your ego that speaks. You either have it or not, you know?
“As a kid, I was very confident … I did finish as a junior number one. Now I want to do it in the men’s side, in the men’s professional tennis.”
With his vast array of shot making on display on centre court against Khachanov, Tsitsipas made a solid step up in his fourth semi-final at Melbourne Park.
The early ascendancy was up for grabs before Tsitsipas dominated the opening-set tie-breaker, claiming it after converting his second set point.
Khachanov rallied in the third set, extending the contest to the crowd’s relief, but Tsitsipas didn’t panic and was able to close out the win in three hours and 21 minutes.
A crowd favourite in Melbourne who has been busy adopting the local lingo and making promises about funding Victoria’s education system, Tsitsipas was rapt to follow in the footsteps of Greek-Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, who famously charged into the 2006 Australian Open final.
“I first watched Marcos do it a couple of years ago playing on this court,” Tsitsipas said immediately afterwards. “I dreamed as a kid maybe to compete on this court.
“It brings back memories from watching on as a kid …. he [Baghdatis] is in my head and one of my favourite players.”
Karen Khachanov was unable to overcome Stefanos Tsitsipas.Credit:AP
Tsitsipas gave a further explanation of his love for Australia, its lifestyle and the people Down Under. “I feel blessed that I’m able to play tennis at this level, and put Greek tennis on the map,” he said.
“Coming from a small country like Greece, I’m so grateful that I get great support like this. I never thought that I would be treated so well here … I’m in the final now so let’s see what happens.”
Tsitsipas could have dipped his level as Khachanov picked up his play in the third set, reminiscent of Jannik Sinner’s recovery against the Greek in the fourth round, but Tsitsipas said he put his head down and was not ready to waste all the effort he’d make to get to this point.
“I thought how hard I’d worked to get to this level … it’s one of these moments if you stick around [and stay in the points] it pays off quite well.″
Should Tsitsipas become the first new Australian Open men’s champion since Stan Wawrinka in 2014, Melburnian Mark Philippoussis, a key member of his team, will be remembered for his role.
But Tsitsipas didn’t give much input as to what advice Philippoussis was offering him during this Australian Open campaign.
“Sense of humour,” Tsitsipas said, deadpan, about Scud’s role. “[And] serve and volley which I never use, but it’s always there.”
The other players to reach the Australian Open final since Wawrinka nine years ago, trying to wrest some dominance in Melbourne back from Djokovic, Federer and Nadal, have been Marin Cilic, Dominic Thiem and Medvedev, who lost to Nadal last year.
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