the greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (3) completed a brilliant performance to beat Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-2, 7-6(5) and 6-3and will face the Italian in the fourth round of the Australian Open Jannik Sinner after he tracked back Hungarian Marton Fucsovics and the clash would have a score of 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 and 6-0.
“What a day to play tennis! It has been raining for two days, so I am very happy about this day. Also, it feels good to be with the fans”, said the Greek in an interview with the American Jim Courier at the Rod Laver Arena.
Melbourne is the city with the largest number of Hellenic people outside of Greece and the tournament’s third seed, unbeaten since the end of last November, has benefited from this fact.
“When I finish games like today I go to the hotel room and spend half an hour signing autographs which I then send in letters to fans in faraway places. all over the world since they don’t have the opportunity to witness these types of match”, he revealed to a Rod Laver who gave him a loud applause for his act.
Tsitsipas has found the formula with a strong serve that saves him long exchanges and a position behind the return that allows him to land a topspin shot on the return to threaten his opponents’ serve.
“I worked a lot on developing top-spin from a further back position but I can also hit the ball later in rallies and play on the court”, he added.
His 32 winners and 26 unforced errors beat the Dutchman’s 26 winners and 37 unforced errors.
Tsitsipas, who also did not lose a game in the recent United Cup, In the next round they will face transalpine Sinner, a rival with whom they maintain a favorable face-to-face (4-1).
The last time they met abroad on hard court was definitely in the last edition of this tournament in the quarterfinals.
The Greek used his experience to not give the young Sinner an option who surrendered clearly 6-3, 6-4 and 6-2.
This is the fourth time that the 24-year-old Hellenic tennis player has qualified for the round of 16 on the banks of the Yarra, a fact that reflects his idyll in the capital of the Australian state of Victoria.
“If there are any real estate agents at the stand, let me know”, he commented between laughs, joking about his intention to buy a house in Melbourne.
The match between Sinner and Tsitsipas will be held this Sunday and will likely take place at Rod Laver Arena.
Source: La Verdad
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