'KARMA HIT ME': FAN-FAVOURITE TSITSIPAS EXITS AO; OPENS DOOR FOR DE MINAUR

In the biggest upset of the tournament so far, fan-favourite Stefanos Tsitsipas has been bounced out of the Australian Open, boosting Alex de Minaur's chances in the process.

Tsitsipas' lacklustre start ultimately cost him, losing in four sets to American Alex Michelsen 7-5 6-3 2-6 6-4.

While the defeat was an upset on paper, form guides had the two players evenly matched, with Michelsen coming into the event with a semi-final showing at the Next Gen Finals in December under his belt, while Tsitsipas had looked off-colour in his defeat to Alexander Shevchenko at the United Cup.

Tsitsipas never looked comfortable in the match, with Michelsen using his backhand to dominate rallies and force Tsitsipas back. Tsitsipas’ serve and forehand combination, which forms the nucleus of his game, did not possess the bite that it has in the past and Michelsen took advantage of his backhand and return to take the first two sets.

Tsitsipas, a two-time major finalist, fought back in the third set as Michelsen’s serve began to break down, but just as it looked like the match was turning, the American found an inspired level on return to break three times in the fourth set to seal a huge victory.

"It was a difficult first-round match," said Tsitsipas. "I knew I was dealing with a pretty serious opponent because I've played him before, and I have lost. So I knew coming into this match that things don't suddenly change. He's someone that there is [a] reason he beat me in our previous encounter. I knew I had to be on top of my game to try and win this match."

 Tsitsipas attributed his loss to his failure to set up points with his serve and forehand combination.

"I had a very slow start to the match," he admitted. "In terms of finding my movements and just dominating from the serve plus one, it wasn't really the way I'm expecting it to work. That led to some frustration and, let's say, insecurity in terms of approaching my game.

"These are important shots in tennis, and if you are not able to deliver them at your highest intensity, that's really difficult.

"I also felt like I didn't have enough power in my shot today, so I ended up playing a bit more and kind of having to work twice or three times more every single point to try to win it. I just hope I'm able to retrieve that back and use that as a strength that I have within my game."

The Greek star was especially disappointed with his performance, given that he had withdrawn from doubles, where he was set to play with his brother, Petros, in order to prioritise a deep run in the singles tournament.

"I guess karma hit me. I was not able to deliver or play the way I was hoping to at this year's event. The whole purpose was just to save up on some energy and be fresher, hopefully in the deeper draw of the tournament."

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Tsitsipas now faces a career crossroads after his first loss in the first round of the Australian Open since his debut in 2018, confessing to having less motivation now than at the start of his career.

"I had a fresher mind back then [when I started playing]. It seemed like I was hungrier in a completely different way than I am now," he revealed. "I would definitely say that one thing that stood out the most back then is that I had this hunger to try and make a life out of tennis and to try to have a good beginning in my tennis career and my tennis journey. It's different than it is now."

He also says that the game has changed significantly since when he started playing, with play styles becoming much more physical.

"When I came around in 2018, the game was very different to what it is now. It wasn't as physical. I've had wins over Novak, and I felt like I played well, and I didn't have to kind of exceed the most extreme version of myself in that particular match," the world No.12 said.

"I remember it quite fondly and intensely. The game has shifted more towards a physical game. I feel like the margins become smaller, meaning that you're not getting as many free points. I feel like innovation has stepped in and allowed players to serve even bigger than before. I definitely put emphasis on that.

"When I played years ago, I felt like it was less powerful in general, the game. It was still physical, but it was not as big as it is now. I do feel like power has taken over, meaning that everyone can hit hard now. You just have to be precise as well, combine those two, and you have the ultimate player."

The victory opens up the draw for Australian Alex De Minaur, who was slated to face Tsitsipas in the fourth-round.

Michelsen will either face Australian wildcard James McCabe or Spanish prodigy Martin Landaluce in the round of 64.

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