Australian Open 2023 Results: Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Karen Khachanov to reach final Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas has won his first Grand Slam title after defeating Russian Karen Khachanov in the Melbourne last four to reach the Australian Open final. There is another chance.
Third seed Tsassipas, 24, won 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 against Khachanov, who was heading into his first major final.
Tsitsipas lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2021 French Open final and may have a chance to avenge that defeat.
Serbia’s Djokovic will face American Tommy Paul in Friday’s other semi-final.
Tsitsipas, who will become world number one if he wins the title, eventually held his own after recovering from Khachanov to save two match points in the third-set tiebreak.
Another hard forehand saw the third chance slip away in what proved to be the final game, before he recovered his composure to convert in the fourth when the 18th seed hit long on the first serve.
Asked what he was thinking as the match went into the fourth set, Tsitsipas said: “I thought about how hard I had worked to get to this position.
“But if you stick around, devote yourself even more, and pay even more attention to the important moments.”
Nine-time champion Djokovic is favorite to face Tsitsipas and will face unseeded Paul in his first major semi-final appearance at 08:30 GMT on Friday.
The 35-year-old former world number one has won every time he has reached the last four in Melbourne and is aiming to record a 10th title to match Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 men’s major titles.
Tsistipas feels at home in Melbourne.
In a tournament with the hard court surface he thrives on, and in a city with the warm support of its large Greek population, Tsitsipas has long looked destined for success at the Australian Open. .
The brilliant youngster announced his arrival there with a famous 2019 win over defending champion Roger Federer in the fourth round, only for a sensational run to end when he was crushed by Rafael Nadal in his first semi-final.
Long-time rival Daniil Medvedev ended his dreams of reaching the last four in both 2021 and 2022, with another Russian – this time, the mighty Khachanov – standing in his way.
Backed by a vocal crowd waving Greek flags after almost all winning points, Tsitsipas started confidently against a player he had beaten in his previous five encounters.
Khachanov could not match Tsitsipas’ quick groundstrokes and dynamic athleticism as the world number four took two sets ahead.
When Tsippas broke early in the third set and went into a 5-4 lead that saw him serve for the match, few on Rod Laver Arena wanted anything other than a straight-sets win. It was expected.
However, nerves kicked in for Tsippas, who suddenly looked unsure of his groundstrokes, and Khachanov cut loose to extend the contest.
After a bathroom break before the fourth set, Tsitsipas returned free of the burden of hope and broke Khachanov’s serve at the first opportunity.
Dominant service games from this point ensured there would be no repeat of the previous set as he finally reached the final of what he calls his “home” Grand Slam event.
“I feel lucky for the fact that I am able to play tennis at this level and for many years I wanted to put Greek tennis on the map – Maria [Sakari] and I have done that, I think. Tsitsipas said.
“Coming from a small country like Greece, I am very grateful to have this kind of support.
“I never thought I would be treated so well here so I’m very happy that I’m in the final now – let’s see what happens.”
