Stefanos Tsitsipas has started his Australian Open in style, downing Frenchmen Quentin Halys in straight sets.
The Greek third seed posted a convincing 6-3 6-4 7-6 (8-6) victory over the Halys on Monday night as the 24-year-old searches for his first major title.
Tsitsipas has been stopped three times in the semi-finals at the Open while his best grand slam result is reaching the final at Roland Garros in 2021.
With world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz missing, nine-time champion Novak Djokovic battling hamstring trouble, top seed Rafael Nadal playing below par and hometown heavyweight Nick Kyrgios pulling out with a knee injury, it could be the year for Tsitsipas to break through at Melbourne Park.
“I was happy, I came up with some good tennis,” Tsitsipas said on court.
“I wasn’t going to give up and showed my fighting spirit .
“I really like being back here playing tennis, it feels like home and I have great support.”
Tsitsipas lost focus temporarily in the third, twice losing his serve, but managed to level to send the set to a tense showdown.
Up 6-5, world No.61 Halys had four set points after Tsitsipas trailed 0-40 on serve but he couldn’t close it out with the pair heading to a tiebreak.
Halys went ahead 3-0 and then 4-1 before the Greek stormed back to take victory with his second match point.
It continued a stellar start to Tsitsipas’ 2023 summer season and he stays unbeaten after four impressive wins at the United Cup.
Source: AAP
