MELBOURNE, Australia | Stefanos Tsitsipas finally became the first to find the solution to the Jiri Lehecka puzzle on Tuesday, 24 hours after the Czech eliminated Quebec’s Félix Auger-Aliassime.
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In fact, the Greek didn’t give the world a chance for the 71st. Imperial as he has been since the beginning of this Australian Open – with the exception of two sets against the Italian Jannik Sinner – the third favorite won 6: 3, 7: 6 (2) and 6: 4.
A win that gave the 24-year-old his ticket to the semi-finals and a confrontation with 18th seed Russian Karen Khachanov on Thursday night Eastern time.
“The answer is yes”
But Tsitsipas longs for more than that. The Greek believes this year could finally be the right one. The one in which he won his first major title.
However, he had come so close at Roland-Garros two years ago, in that last game where he dominated Novak Djokovic after two sets
The Serb didn’t recall this at a press conference on Monday – he mentioned that Tsitsipas had never reached a Grand Slam final before being corrected by journalists… – but ‘Djoko’ had managed to turn the tide and in win five sets.
“I like the tennis that I’m presenting at the moment,” said the third seed shortly after defeating the young Lehecka. I haven’t felt this good in a long time.”
“So [si on me demande si je vise un Grand Chelem cette année]The answer is yes.”
Not that far from disqualification
If the Greek’s game against Lehecka on Tuesday at the big Rod Laver Arena was looking good, his attitude towards the end of the game was, shall we say, a little more questionable.
When the score was 4: 3 in the third set, when the Czech was serving, Tsitsipas got angry after an unforced error. In a frustrated gesture, he hit the ball against the wall behind him.
The problem is that he almost hit a ball chaser who was nearby at the same time. If the ball had to touch the young companion, the world third would have been immediately disqualified from the tournament.
It also happened to Djokovic at the US Open three years ago, but this time it was a linesman who was affected. “Djoko” undoubtedly remembers that more than this final against Tsitsipas.
“I only saw the ball chaser when the ball came close to me again,” the Greek apologized. Of course I didn’t strive for it. I’m a tennis pro.”
“In my eyes, he was further away from me. I really would have had to miss my shot to reach it. But of course I shouldn’t have hit the ball against the wall. I’m not happy with how I reacted.”
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