Tsensational! Tstunning! Tsitsipas!
Okay, enough of the tomfoolery; this is no joke: in a massive Australian Open upset on Sunday night, Stefanos Tsitsipas ousted two-time defending champion Roger Federer 6-7(11), 7-6(3), 7-5, 7-6(5). Tsitsipas fired 20 aces and did not drop serve a single time while pulling off the biggest win of his career in three hours and 45 minutes.
But the most important statistic for the 20-year-old Greek–and for Federer, too–was obvious: 12 break points against the Tsitsipas serve, 12 won by Tsitsipas.
“I was just serving well,” the world No. 15 said of his efforts down break point. “I managed to not make any mistakes, stay in the point, make him play…. It was actually very mental, I would say. I could have cracked at any moment, but I didn’t because I really wanted it bad. I showed it on the court. Obviously and for sure that mental toughness helped a lot. It could have been a different match if I [didn’t] stand that pressure.”
Pressure? What pressure? Tsitsipas saved eight break points in the second set when a two-set deficit at the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s hands would have spelled almost-certain doom. He stole that set in another ‘breaker and then broke Federer for the first and only time at 6-5 in the third to seize an improbable lead.
A third tiebreaker also had to decide the fourth, at which point the underdog gained an upper hand at 5-5 when Federer erred on a forehand that was challenged but shown to be inches long. That gave Tsitsipas match point on his own serve, which he converted by forcing the 37-year-old Swiss into an error with a huge inside-out forehand.
Highlights:
“I lost to a better player who was playing very well tonight,” Federer admitted. “(He) hung in there, gave himself chances at some point, stayed calm. It’s not always easy, especially for younger guys. Credit to him for taking care of that.”
Tsitsipas’ reward is a surprising quarterfinal contest against Roberto Bautista Agut, who is in the midst of a borderline miracle run of his own. The Spaniard has won three matches in five sets, including hard-fought victories over Andy Murray and Marin Cilic.
The other quarterfinal on the bottom half of the draw features another up-and-coming star in Frances Tiafoe. The American celebrated his 21st birthday on Sunday by beating Grigor Dimitrov to set up a date with Rafael Nadal.
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wow
Wow is right. I know I’ve been sort of pushing the “tsitsipas is fearless” line, but I don’t think anyone can deny that his natural optimism and his belief that he not only could but WOULD win helped him.
The key of in the 2nd set when Fed couldn’t break… I think he played well, but Tsitsi amazing.
I’m feeling good about Tsitsipas getting past RBA. 1st time meeting but I think the confident Greek has a great attitude and the ability to do it: make the SF.
Tsitsipas is almost the complete package now. I mean, look at how he hits his FHs, unbelievably quick and powerful and with depth; when he needs it, he produces the goods. Time and again, Fed was beaten by the sheer pace of it; and Tsitsipas could hit it well on the run too!
His SHBH is also great and yet there’s still room for improvement. His serving could be so clutch that he’s able to save all his 12 BPs faced. I like it that he approached the net so frequently like almost at will and not afraid to do so; some of the exchanges at the net with Fed were quite incredible.
Hes almost like a younger and taller version of Fed, playing a very similar game but I find him more exciting (than Fed) to watch. There’s so much emotions, mixed with grit and determination and yet he plays a beautiful, elegant and varied attacking all court game.
I really feel that he is very much inspired by Fedal, that he now comes with Rafa’s fighting spirit and never says die attitude and Fed’s offensive all court attacking game.
Tsitsipas reminds of an old soul in a young man’s body. I thought the same thing about Rafa. I remember the first time I saw Rafa when people finally convinced me to start watching tennis again because of him. I thought he was older. He seemed very mature and of course, had no fear of Fed. I was stunned when I saw him battle Fed for five sets in the 2007 Wimbledon final. I knew that I had found THE ONE and also believed he would gone back better the next year. He did in 2008.
Tsitsipas seems wise beyond his years. I think belief is so important. Rafa believed he could beat Fed right from the start, even when he was dominating. Andy Roddick did not have that. He lost the match before he even got on the court.
Tsitsipas seems like something special. But I think he should cut his hair. He would look so much better.
That long hair rocks! if I was gay…
NNY, I first saw Rafa played in 2005 or 2006; and immediately took to liking this boy (he’s a boy to me back then, at 18 or 19. I mean, how can we not like a guy who went out there and gave his all, with so much passion and joy even when he was winning just a point?
I went back to watch his earlier match vs Fed in 2004 (at Miami) and he was really amazing in that match; Fed couldn’t even generate a single BP, and Rafa was able to approach the net time and again and won almost all points when he was there. Rafa seemed to have this instinct of when and how to approach the net at the right time back then; too bad he didn’t continue with that style of play throughout his career until lately (ie since 2017 onwards). Rafa was fearless (and aggressive) back then, against anyone, including Fed.
I see Tsitsipas also has this similar trait as Rafa – fearless, clutch and when under pressure, could produce his best tennis to save himself out of troubles so often. Tsitsipas also is an instinctive player, and like young Rafa, he knows exactly how and when to approach the net, when both of them aren’t S&V’ers to start with.
I wrote earlier on what I thought of Tsitsipas and his game; Steve Tignor seemed to have observed something similar, but he elaborated further on the varieties of shots (and Tsitsipas intelligence in using them) and his instincts or instinctive play, quite an interesting read.
Other than Shasha, I think Tsitsipas will be the most promising player from the young gen; I find him more promising than Shapo (who imo still hasn’t figured out how to play a more controlled aggressive game to win big matches).
Lucky,
I did see that 2004 match in Miami with Fed and a very young Rafa. I think they had it on the tennis channel. It just blew me away to see Rafa three years earlier and just coming into his own. I enjoyed that match. That was what I missed when I stopped watching tennis when Fed was dominating and winning all the time.
Rafa was so different back then, none of the nervous tics he developed over time. He was smart right from the start. He had no fear of Fed at all and knew how to play him. It was interesting to see him being so aggressive.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts in Tsitsipas. I have always thought that Sascha is very promising and the real thing. Initially I cautious when I see a young kid come along. But I have become convinced that Tsitsipas is also very promising with enormous potential.
I rather like his mane. Reminds me of the young Agassis, not to mention very young Borg.
Tsitpas could win the Australian. Take out Fed, Rafa and Djokovic all in the same tourney. That would surely be the most amazing accomplishment.
Until he shores it up a bit more, his one-handed backhand is going to be vulnerable to Nadal’s forehand, just as Roger’s was for the longest time. I can’t see him getting past Nadal, should they both make the semis.
Tiafoe reminds me of Tsonga who beat Nadal 11 years ago.
But I cant see it happening this time .
i don’t see that at all aside from the flamboyant celebrations
That would be the most amazing achievement since Delpo won the USO in 2009, even better as it would be the top 3 rather than the top two, a difficult ask, but certainly not out of the realms of possibility, love the guy and his game, disagree with NNY, RC, Amy etc, that all think he needs a hair cut i quite like it lol, but that might be just me he he 🙂
How cute is Maria, love her dress, beautiful lady with a lovely smile ….