The moment of truth has arrived at the Australian Open. This Friday we will meet the two men who will succeed Rafa Nadal and Daniil Medvedev at the end of the first Grand Slam of the season.
Without a doubt, Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas are the clear favorites to play for the title on Sundayin a match that will have important implications for Spanish tennis, as Rafa Nadal sees the Serbian match his record 22 Grand Slam titles and defeat Carlos Alcaraz, whatever happens in the final, the number 1 he has held since when he won. the US Open in September.
The day opens at 04:30 (Eurosport) with Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov. The Greek, who already knows what it is to enter a Grand Slam final (Roland Garros 2021) will face his fourth semifinal in Melbourne, the third in a row. He does so full of morale and confidence after counting all his matches in 2023 as victories and only dropping sets in his round of 16 duel against Jannik Sinner.
“I’m very happy with my game so far. I’m looking forward to playing even better. I’m a different player, I play differently, I have a different mentality“, declared the Greek after his comfortable victory in the quarterfinals against Czech Jiri Lehecka.
For his part, Khachanov regained his best level and reached his second Grand Slam semifinalafter that he played last year in the US Open.
“The result in New York gave me more strength and confidence to show who I really am and what I am capable of when I am at my best.” Russian Khachanov said he will climb to tenth place in the ranking if he makes it to the final.
Another finalist will emerge from the rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Tommy Paul. The Serbian is aiming for his tenth final in Melbourne, his record tenth title and his 22nd major trophy, which would also allow him to regain the number 1 spot he relinquished in June.
After missing last year’s tournament due to his refusal to get vaccinated, he is on a 26-match winning streak in the tournament since losing in the round of 16 in 2018, and he has dropped just one set since the start of a tournament he entered after winning earlier this month in Adelaide.
On the other side of the net was Tommy Paul. The 25-year-old American is playing in his first Grand Slam semifinal, after leaving Spaniards Alejandro Davidovich and Roberto Bautista, among others, by the wayside.
“He might have a better chance against Rublev, but playing Novak here in Australia would be awesome.“He declared on Wednesday before knowing that the Serbian would be his rival.
Only the physical problems that Djokovic is dragging seem to give Paul optionswho has made history after becoming the first American to reach the penultimate round in Melbourne since Andy Roddick did so in 2009. In addition, he is guaranteed a Top 20 finish after the tournament (19 if he crashes, 15 if he will get to the grand finale).
The Serbian arrived in great shape, and also highly motivated after his traumatic experience. “I don’t think I need it because I always try to give my best, especially in Grand Slams, but it can be said that there is something extra this year, because of the injury and what happened last year” he said after defeating Andrey Rublev 6-1, 6-2 and 6-4.
The match will start at 09:30 in the morning and it can be followed through Eurosport and the Mundo Deportivo website.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
