Tsitsipas tames Khachanov to earn first AO final

Stefanos Tsitsipas broke through on Friday into his first Australian Open final as the Greek defeated Karen Khachanov 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3 for the sixth time without a loss in their series.

Tsitsipas, seeded third, had stalled in the Melbourne semis on three previous occasions; but he ensured safe passage this time after a battle of nearly three and a half hours.

Tsitsipas will be playing his second career Grand Slam final after losing at Roland Garros two years ago to Novak Djokovic.

He will face off in Sunday’s title match against the winner from the nine-time champion Serb and untried American Tommy Paul.

“”I’m happy with the fight I put up today,” the winner said. “I dreamed as a kid to one day play a final on this court and be able to compete with the best.

“I’m blessed that I can play tennis at this level, especially coming from a small country like Greece.

“Me and Maria (Sakkari) are putting Greek tennis on the map.

“I’m extremely happy to be in the final now – let’s see what happens.”

The feisty Khachanov was beaten for the 14th consecutive time by a Top 5 player as he went down with a fight at Melbourne Park in summer heat.

Tsitsipas won a combative opening set characterised by four breaks of serve; he came good in the tiebreaker, winning six of the last seven points.

His momentum continued with a sweep of the second; but he needed to overcome a late hurdle in the third as Khachanov managed a break of serve with his opponent serving for victory, 5-4.

Tsitsipas mis-judged an overhead to drop serve as Khachanov pulled level at five games apiece.

 The inspired underdog followed up with a love game – sealed with his eighth ace – before the set went into a decider, which Khachanov also won to get on the scoreboard after saving a pair of match points in the breaker.

“In the third set I was extremely close to the win,” Tsitsipas said. “But in moments like that (and the fourth set) if you stick around and concentrate, it can pay off quite well.”

Tsitsipas resumed his domination in the fourth, with his 3-0 lead serving as a solid foundation for victory. 

His second set of match points came 40 minutes after his first pair in the third set; Tsitsipas finished with 18 aces among 66 winners.

Stefanos Tsitsipas broke through on Friday into his first Australian Open final as the Greek defeated Karen Khachanov 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3 for the sixth time without a loss in their series.

Tsitsipas, seeded third, had stalled in the Melbourne semis on three previous occasions; but he ensured safe passage this time after a battle of nearly three and a half hours.

Tsitsipas will be playing his second career Grand Slam final after losing at Roland Garros two years ago to Novak Djokovic.

He will face off in Sunday’s title match against the winner from the nine-time champion Serb and untried American Tommy Paul.

“”I’m happy with the fight I put up today,” the winner said. “I dreamed as a kid to one day play a final on this court and be able to compete with the best.

“I’m blessed that I can play tennis at this level, especially coming from a small country like Greece.

“Me and Maria (Sakkari) are putting Greek tennis on the map.

“I’m extremely happy to be in the final now – let’s see what happens.”

The feisty Khachanov was beaten for the 14th consecutive time by a Top 5 player as he went down with a fight at Melbourne Park in summer heat.

Tsitsipas won a combative opening set characterised by four breaks of serve; he came good in the tiebreaker, winning six of the last seven points.

His momentum continued with a sweep of the second; but he needed to overcome a late hurdle in the third as Khachanov managed a break of serve with his opponent serving for victory, 5-4.

Tsitsipas mis-judged an overhead to drop serve as Khachanov pulled level at five games apiece.

 The inspired underdog followed up with a love game – sealed with his eighth ace – before the set went into a decider, which Khachanov also won to get on the scoreboard after saving a pair of match points in the breaker.

“In the third set I was extremely close to the win,” Tsitsipas said. “But in moments like that (and the fourth set) if you stick around and concentrate, it can pay off quite well.”

Tsitsipas resumed his domination in the fourth, with his 3-0 lead serving as a solid foundation for victory. 

His second set of match points came 40 minutes after his first pair in the third set; Tsitsipas finished with 18 aces among 66 winners.