Australian Open 2021: “I have no words to describe what has just happened on the court,” Stefanos Tsitsipas on win against Rafael Nadal


Australian Open 2021: “I have no words to describe what has just happened on the court,” Stefanos Tsitsipas on win against Rafael Nadal

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas put on a valiant show in Rod Laver Arena as he became only the second player to recover from two sets down to beat Rafael Nadal at a Grand Slam. The 5th seed recorded a 3-6,2-6,7-6(4),6-4,7-5 victory over Nadal.

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Tsitsipas won 84 per cent of first-serve points (36/43) and struck 27 winners in the final two sets to clinch his first victory against the World No. 2 on hard courts (1-4).

Tsitsipas, 22, broke out into a huge smile, almost in disbelief, after converting his third match point. Tsitsipas will face Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in Friday’s semi-final.

“I’m speechless. My tennis speaks for itself.”: Stefanos Tsitsipas

Few would have predicted this outcome between Tsitsipas and Nadal going into the match – and even fewer after the opening two sets.

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I’m speechless, I have no words to describe what just happened on court” said Tsitsipas, who was still out of breath in his on-court interview.

My tennis speaks for itself. It is an unbelievable feeling to fight at such a level and give it my all on the court. I started very nervous, I won’t lie. I don’t know what happened after the third set. I flew like a little bird.

Tsitsipas joins Fabio Fognini in the exclusive club of players to beat Nadal from two sets down at a major championship. The Italian claimed a 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Nadal at the 2015 US Open.

I focused on staying calm and holding my nerves today. I have failed to do so in some of my matches [in the past],” said Tsitsipas. “I stayed calm in the tight moments and I kept everything to myself. I am really happy with the attitude that I showed on the court.”

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Also read: Australian Open 2021: Stefanos Tsitsipas comes up trumps in five-set epic to shock Rafael Nadal