Stefanos Tsitsipas has made it to his first Australian Open finals, defeating Karen Khachanov. In a 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 in the semifinals on Friday, setting up a finals between himself and Novak Djokovic.
Should he win, this would be the Greek’s first Grand Slam title. He dominated Khachanov and kept constant pressure on his opponent in a match that lasted a grueling three hours and 21 minutes.
Khachanov managed to fight him every step of the way and he denied Tsitsipas his fifth straight sets win.
“I thought about how hard I’ve worked to get into this position, and it takes a little bit more,” Tsitsipas said about what he was thinking going into his fourth set.
“I wasn’t able to deliver that in the third set; I was extremely close to getting it.
“It’s one of these moments that if you stick around if you dedicate yourself even more and if you concentrate on these important moments even more, it pays off quite well.”
“And always having that ambiance in the background somewhere feels so good when I’m able to hit the ball and get such a reward back from the fans.”
He will next face Novak Djokovic and whoever wins the match will rise to the Number 1 spot on the ATP World Rankings.
“These are the moments I’ve been working hard for. To be able to play finals like this, but finals that have bigger meaning than just a final,” he said on-court.
“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.”
“Let’s do it guys!” he continued, addressing the Rod Laver Arena crowd that has helped fuel his run. “Let’s go!”
