Stefanos Tsitsipas mentioned he was “a different player” from the previous after blasting right into a fourth Australian Open semi-final and a showdown with Karen Khachanov on Tuesday. The Greek third seed proved too highly effective for unseeded Czech Jiri Lehecka on Rod Laver Arena, storming dwelling 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 as he zeroes in on a maiden main title. He will face the Russian 18th seed Khachanov for a spot in his first Melbourne Park ultimate, having crashed within the semis thrice beforehand, together with prior to now two years.
Russia’s Khachanov booked his place when American Sebastian Korda retired harm with a wrist harm whereas trailing 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 3-0.
Asked afterwards if he felt in another way from earlier years and believes this might lastly be his 12 months, the 24-year-old Tsitsipas mentioned: “I’m feeling great with my tennis. I don’t think I felt so good in a long time.
“I’ll undoubtedly say sure to it. I’ve mentioned it, I’m a unique participant, taking part in completely different. My mentality is completely different.
“When I’m out on the court, I don’t really think of negatives, to be honest. I just go out there and play the game.”
Tsitsipas, who will turn out to be world primary ought to he win the title, has thrived on the power from the gang in Melbourne.
The metropolis has a big Greek inhabitants, together with a few of his prolonged household, and he considers this his “home” event.
Tsitsipas’s finest Slam thus far is reaching the French Open ultimate in 2021, falling to Novak Djokovic in 5 units after holding a 2-0 lead.
Lehecka, ranked 71, warned earlier than the match he wished revenge after dropping to Tsitsipas within the semi-finals at Rotterdam final 12 months.
But the 21-year-old, who beat eleventh seed Cameron Norrie and sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime en path to the final eight, was instantly below the gun.
Tsitsipas labored 5 break factors on his opening service sport and obtained over the road when the Czech smacked a backhand volley vast.
He consolidated for a 3-0 lead and together with his sturdy first serve providing Lehecka few alternatives to strike again, coasted to the primary set in 36 minutes, sealing it with an ace.
Tsitsipas saved 5 break factors to carry in an important third sport of the second set as Lehecka got here alive and commenced making use of stress.
Both gamers dug in and it went with serve to a tiebreak, the place the Greek saved his cool to take an early benefit that he by no means gave up.
In an in depth third set, Tsitsipas second double fault of the evening handed Lehecka three break factors in sport seven.
But he saved all of them to carry, pumping the air in celebration.
With the bit between his tooth, the Greek star dialled up the stress as Lehecka served to remain within the contest and a crosscourt backhand earned him a match level which he transformed.
“It felt different this time from any other match and the most important thing in the end is that I found a solution,” mentioned Tsitsipas.
To make his first ultimate in Melbourne, Tsitsipas must get previous Khachanov.
The Russian is into his second straight Grand Slam semi after a run to the identical stage eventually September’s US Open.
“I think the first semi-finals which I did in US Open, that gave me an extra boost and extra confidence to show where I really am, what I can do when I’m at my best,” mentioned Khachanov.
“Physically also, after pre-season, I’m feeling really good so far.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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