Photograph: AP
Stefanos Tsitsipas has bullied his way into the semifinals of the Australian Open after dismantling Italian Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
The Greek came firing out of the blocks and didn’t let the 11th seed into the match at any stage; surprising given Sinner’s form in 2022.
Tsitsipas looked as good as he has done for the whole tournament and ultimately eased to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory in two hours and six minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
“We're just getting started (smiling). It's too early to decide whether it was [my best match in 2022] or not, but it was a great performance from start to finish with no doubt and a clear game plan,” Tsitsipas said post-match.
“So far it has been the most consistent and the best match I've had on the tournament.
I knew I was going to face a Jannik who was hungry and who wants to show his best out there.
“Speaking from, like, his previous encounters and matches that he played, you know, he seemed to be really fired up and giving 100% every single match.
“I was really fired up myself to bring the best out of my game today, and I tried to get my level as high as possible because I knew that I need to form that kind of standard from early on.”
It wasn’t as though Sinner played badly - in fact, he never had much of a chance to get into the game, such was Tsitsipas’ level.
The Greek didn’t give Sinner a sniff on his serve and didn’t face a single breakpoint for the entirety of the match. On the other hand, Tsitsipas converted all four of his break point opportunities to sew up the match.
It was a welcome match for Tsitsipas after enduring a slog of a five-setter against Taylor Fritz in the last round. The match had the makings for a long four or five-set encounter but Tsitsipas put the foot down and got himself off the court in just over two hours.
Now, the Greek has until Friday to prepare himself for a match against Daniil Medvedev or Felix Augier-Alliasime.
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