January 22, (THEWILL) – Stefanos Tsitsipas has progressed to the quarter-final stage of the Australian Open after defeating Jannik Sinner 6-4 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-3 in a thrilling match at Rod Laver Arena.
Tsitsipas, who beat Sinner in straight sets at the quarter-final stage of the tournament last year, held a 4-1 advantage over the Italian in their head-to-head record coming into the contest. The Greek star opened up a two-set lead in a showing of breathtaking efficiency, converting all three of his break opportunities in the first two sets while Sinner could only take two of seven.
However, Tsitsipas’ intensity dropped at the start of the third set and Sinner capitalised, sending the match to a fourth set. One break of serve from Sinner was enough to send it to a final-set shootout. Sinner was unable to sustain his form in the fifth set, and Tsitsipas secured the decisive break in the sixth game of the decider to seal his progression to the next round.
Despite Sinner’s comeback, it was Tsitsipas’ efficiency in break situations that earned him the lead and ultimately secured his victory. In post-match comments, the Greek said: “It was a long match guys. I felt I spent an entire century on this court playing tennis. So long, I mean what a great night [huge cheers]. That was a ripper as they say here.”
Next up for Tsitsipas is a quarter-final showdown against Jiri Lehecka, who beat Cameron Norrie and Felix Auger-Aliassime, in rounds three and four.
