Stefanos Tsitsipas, hailed as the next big thing in Tennis after his splendid victory over Swiss great Roger Federer in the fourth round of the Australian Open 2019, beat his quarter-finals opponent Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) at the Australian Open on Tuesday. With this victory, Stefanos Tsitsipas has achieved the distinction of becoming the youngest men's players to reach the semi-finals of any grand slam since 2007. Tsitsipas, at 20 years and 168 days, has made it to the semi-finals of the Australian Open 2019. Roger Federer Loses to Stefanos Tsitsipas, Knocked Out of Australian Open 2019.
With his win over Roberto Bautista Agut, Tsitsipas has become the first player from Greece to make it to the semifinals of a Grand Slam. Tsitsipas is also the youngest since Novak Djokovic to reach the semi's of a major (Djokovic at the 2007 US Open) and youngest at Australian Open since Andy Roddick in 2003 slam.
Bautista Agut had an impressive run to the quarterfinals. Agut beat Britain's Andy Murray and Marin Cilic, but could not match the intensity of Stefanos Tsitsipas at the crucial moments in the match. Tsitsipas hit 22 aces, and 30 more winners compared to the unforced errors (68-38).
Talking post the match, Tsitsipas said that, "It all feels like a fairy tale, almost. I'm just living the dream, living what I've been working hard for." He added saying, "I mean, I feel a bit emotional but not too much because I know I worked hard to get here." He also introduced his family and asked people to subscribe to his Youtube channel during the on-court interview.
Watch His On-Court Interview Below:
One of @StefTsitsipas' 2019 goals was to reach a Grand Slam semifinal.
Just 22 days into the year, he already achieved it 👊#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Dx2fZmHEaC
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2019
The emerging Greek will face the winner of the quarter-final contest between 17-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal and 21-year-old American Frances Tiafoe, scheduled later on Tuesday. Frances Tiafoe, along with Stefanos Tsitsipas, is tipped as player to look out for from the GenNext group in men's tennis.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 22, 2019 01:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).