Sinner's heroic fight, but in the end Tsitsipas celebrates

According to the bookmakers, Sinner was the slight favorite in the quarter-finals last year, but this changed this year: Tsitsipas was not only the favorite in this duel, many experts even believe that the Greek can pull off the big hit - especially since many big names have already started their journey home have. Sinner more than stood up to last year's semi-finalist, was the better player for long stretches, but in the end had to bow in the fifth set: The number 3 on the seed list put in a splendid performance in the Rod Laver Arena and beat the South Tyrolean for the fourth time in series. The 24-year-old had the upper hand after 4 hours with 6:4, 6:4, 3:6, 4:6 and 6:3.

The match started exactly like last year: with an early break from Tsitsipas. In contrast to the duel at that time, when Sinner didn't have a single break chance throughout the entire game, the Sesto native found four opportunities to make it 1-1 straight away. The world number 4. destroyed all of them with the serve-forehand combo. Sinner initially found no means against it. Only in the middle of the set did he manage to return the service better and, above all, longer, which kept Tsitsipas' aggressiveness in check. The reward was the break to 4:4. Instead of taking the lead for the first time in the game, Sinner had to give up serve again shortly afterwards. The great Greek player won the first set after 45 minutes.

Always the serve The fans, the majority of whom were behind Tsitsipas, saw a similar picture in the second section: the favorite dominated with his forehand and caused Sinner problems with his strong returns during his service. He also defended extremely skillfully: When Sinner stepped on the gas, he repeatedly threw in high balls to which Darren Cahill's protégé couldn't find the right answer. He often made mistakes when trying to end the point with a winner. The result: an early break. Sinner, who by no means played badly, but made mistakes in the crucial moments, was far from giving up. He immediately equalized and took the lead 4:3. Just when the South Tyrolean was entering his best phase, Tsitsipas raised the level. A break to 5:4 gave him the second round - although Sinner had the opportunity to equalize to 5:5.

Stefanos Tsitsipas is in the quarterfinals. © APA/afp / PAUL CROCK

At the beginning of the third section, both of them took a deep breath. The level dropped and both made mistakes that had not been seen in the first set. Sinner found three break chances right at the start, but the normally strong backhand let him down. But Tsitsipas' loss of serve was only postponed: In the following game, the Sexten player struck - and ran away to 4-1. For the first time in the game he was the better, more active and, not least, livelier player. Tsitsipas was now missing the final step, which resulted in numerous errors as he was still very close to the baseline. Sinner now played extremely well, missed three set points when Tsitsipa served, but then closed the bag. He won a set for the first time after losing nine rounds.

It will be exciting Tsitsipas now took a short break. He went into the catacombs to regroup. But when he came back, nothing had changed. Sinner was still on top – and also the first to get a break. The South Tyrolean could have even gotten a second, but the Greek prevented the preliminary decision in the third set with three strong serves. Sinner didn't let the missed opportunities bother him (he only converted four of his 26 opportunities into a break). He continued to do his thing consistently and served – also thanks to two aces – to make it 6:4.

This was tight from the start. But then the balance seemed to be broken when Sinner handed out three gifts when the score was 1:2. However, he fended off just as many breakballs and stuck with it. In the following service game, the time had come: the unsettled Sinner made several mistakes, and Tsitsipas also played extremely solidly. The result: a decisive break. The Greek defended his lead and moved into the quarter-finals, where he met Jiri Lehecka (ATP 71).

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Sinner's heroic fight, but in the end Tsitsipas celebrates

Jannik Sinner's run at the Australian Open is over. In the round of 21 against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday in Melbourne, the XNUMX-year-old left the Rod Laver Arena defeated despite an outstanding comeback.

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Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Sinner's heroic fight, but in the end Tsitsipas celebrates

Jannik Sinner's run at the Australian Open is over. In the round of 21 against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday in Melbourne, the XNUMX-year-old left the Rod Laver Arena defeated despite an outstanding comeback.

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