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Stefanos Tsitsipas becomes the youngest player to reach the Australian Open final since 2011, after defeating highly spirited Karen Khachanov in the semifinal.
Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to his first Australian Open final and second Grand Slam final after beating Karen Khachanov 7-6(2) 6-4 6-7(6) 6-3.
The 24-year-old was two sets ahead and needed to finish in the third but couldn't get it done in two match points, allowing Khachanov to get back in the game. However, he found the gear in the fourth set to seal it and maintain his unbeaten streak to the 2023 season.
Tsitsipas got an early break in the first set, starting very well as he has done throughout the tournament, but Khachanov had other ideas breaking back as Tsitsipas lost his timing a bit on his backhand.
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The Greek did well to break for 5-3 and then played a horrible game to get broken when serving for the set 5-4*. Khachanov leveled up to 5-5 *0-15, Tsitsipas got a second-time violation, lost the first serve, and had double faults. Then quickly won the next four points, holding for 6-5.
Khachanov got broken every time he served on the left side of the umpire's chair, but he held on this time at 0-15 to force a tiebreak.
Back-to-back backhand errors from Khachanov and Tsitsipas won it 7-6(2) after losing break leads at 3-1 and 5-3.
A dramatic second set, but Tsitsipas grabs it 6-4, going two sets to love up. Another tiebreak in the second set, and from 4-6 down, Khachanov saved two match points in great fashion before taking the set 7-6(6) to keep his final hopes alive.
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Playing in the fourth set, Tsitsipas went into an early lead for 2-0 and 40-0 to deuce, which he holds. He served for the match again, closing it out 6-3 to book his final spot.
Tsitsipas has been playing so well since the start of the year. From the United Cup to the Australian Open, being undefeated all through.
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At 24 years, he is the youngest to reach the final of the Australian Open since Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, who faced each other in 2011.
He is now one win away from a first Grand Slam title and the world No. 1; Djokovic is also two wins away from the No. 1 spot.
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