One improbable NextGen run came to an end at the Australian Open on Tuesday. Another continued.
Prior to Frances Tiafoe’s 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 quarterfinal loss at the hands of world No. 2 Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas held off Roberto Baustista Agut 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) to book a spot in the semis. The result is one more showdown featuring Nadal and an up-and-coming youngster; he has already disposed of both Tiafoe and Alex de Minaur so far in Melbourne.
Tsitsipas may be a tougher test. The 20-year-old Greek is already up to No. 15 in the world, having captured his first career ATP title this past fall in Stockholm following an appearance in the Toronto Masters final (lost to none other than Nadal). Tsitsipas stunned Roger Federer during fourth-round action this fortnight and followed it up with a gutsy effort against Bautista Agut in a match that understandably saw both players short on energy.
“I’m just living the dream, living what I’ve been working hard for,” Tsitsipas said. “I mean, I feel a bit emotional–but not too much because I know I really worked hard to get here, the semis of a Grand Slam.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCDcUxgzzjI
This, of course, is nothing new for Nadal. The 17-time major champion is through to his 30th semifinal and he is two wins away from completing the double career Grand Slam (the Aussie Open is the only one he hasn’t conquered at least twice).
“I knew he was going to bring crazy intensity,” Tiafoe said of Nadal. “I knew the ball was going to be jumping; I knew if he got hold of a forehand it was going to be barbecued chicken. But point in, point out, I’ve never seen someone so locked in. I think that’s what I take from him. I think that’s what I’ve been able to put in my game a little bit, playing [fewer] loose points. (I’m) still not as tight as him. That’s what you saw in certain situations today.”
Tsitsipas is 0-2 lifetime against Nadal and 0-4 in total sets. They will square off on Thursday night, while the top-half semifinal is still to be determined by contenders Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic, and Lucas Pouille.
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All depends on whether Nadal has an actual abdominal injury or not or if it’s just annoying him. If he doesn’t, I don’t think this matchup favors Tsitsipas. His game is lovely and he has the potential to be the kind of player who makes absolutely everyone fall in love with him. But his one-handed backhand is going to be vulnerable to the Nadal forehand. Also, Nadal’s intensity is not easy for young players to deal with. It’s intimidating, exactly as it’s meant to be.