Stefanos Tsitsipas was delighted after he won the semifinal contest against Russia’s Karen Khachanov in four sets to book his maiden Australian Open final berth. The Greek won by 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 in three hours and 21 minutes.
In fact, Tsitsipas had two Match Points in the third set tiebreaker but he was not able to seal the deal against the Russian, who showed great fight at that stage to take the game into the fourth set.
Tsitsipas will now play his second Slam final and if he goes to win his first Major title, he will also take the numero uno position in the ATP Rankings.
“I thought about how hard I’ve worked to get into this position, and it takes a little bit more,” Tsitsipas said of his mentality entering the fourth set. “I wasn’t able to deliver that in the third set; I was extremely close to getting it.
“It’s one of these moments that if you stick around, if you dedicate yourself even more and if you concentrate on these important moments event more, it pays off quite well. And always having that ambience in the background somewhere feels so good when I’m able to hit the ball and get such a reward back from the fans.”
Tsitsipas revealed it is his childhood dream to become the World No.1 player in the world and he has worked hard for such opportunities.
“These are the moments I’ve been working hard for. To be able to play finals like this, but finals that have bigger meaning that just a final,” he said in his on-court interview.
“It’s a Grand Slam final, I’m fighting for the No. 1 spot. It’s a childhood dream to be capturing the No. 1 spot one day. I’m close. I’m happy that this opportunity comes here in Australia and not somewhere else, because this is a place of significance.
“Let’s do it guys!” he continued, addressing the Rod Laver Arena crowd that has helped fuel his run. “Let’s go!”
Tsitsipas has been playing at his best and he will be looking to go all the way in the final. The 24-year-old will face either Novak Djokovic or Tommy Paul in the final on Sunday.
