Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas suffered a shocking early exit from the Australian Open on Monday, crashing out in the first round to unseeded American Alex Michelsen. The world No. 12 was defeated in four sets, 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, in what is already being hailed as one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
Tsitsipas, a three-time semifinalist at Melbourne Park, struggled to find his rhythm in the opening sets as Michelsen capitalised on critical moments.
Despite mounting a spirited comeback in the third set, the Greek was unable to sustain his momentum in the fourth, ultimately succumbing to the American’s relentless play.
Also read: Tsitsipas searching for answers after early Open exit
The defeat marks a significant blow for Tsitsipas, who entered the tournament as a strong contender. Michelsen, ranked outside the top 100, showcased exceptional composure under pressure, breaking Tsitsipas late in the final set to serve for the match.
This result comes as a major disappointment for Greek fans who had high hopes for Tsitsipas to make a deep run at this year’s Grand Slam.
For Michelsen, the victory is a career-defining moment, propelling him into the second round and earning him global attention.
Meanwhile, Tsitsipas will look to regroup and reassess his strategy after this unexpected setback.
While Tsitsipas’ defeat stole the headlines, other players made their mark on day two:
Ajla Tomljanovic returned to form with a determined win, much to the delight of Australian fans.
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis are set to light up the evening matches, keeping local hopes alive.
The Australian Open continues with high drama and excitement, but for Tsitsipas, the journey in Melbourne has ended far earlier than expected.