Melbourne, Feb 11 (AFP/APP): World number six Stefanos Tsitsipas said he “fought like a warrior” Thursday after being pushed to a marathon five sets by wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open.
The popular Greek star dropped only four games in his first-round match, but faced a far sterner challenge from the 267th-ranked Australian.
He finally came through 6-7,5/7, 6-1, 6-1, 6-7,5/7, 6-4 but needed 4hr 32min to do it on a muggy day at Rod Laver Arena. “I fought like a lion, I fought like a real warrior out there,” he said. “It was an amazing ending with lots of emotion and great spirits.” It was Tsitsipas’ first five-set win on hard courts and his reward is a third-round meeting with Swede Mikael Ymer, who beat promising Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz.
“I’m happy that I got my first five-set win… more three-set wins in Slams would be nice,” he added with a smile. Tsitsipas went into the match as hot favourite, having demolished Gilles Simon in his opening match and never having lost a Grand Slam match to a player ranked as low as Kokkinakis.
He has a solid record against Australians, with Nick Kyrgios, who was watching in the stadium, the only one to beat him.
Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for the latest news and updates!
Leave a Reply