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Stefanos Tsitsipas qualified advanced to the Australian Open semifinal for the fourth time in five years, after defeating Jiri Lehecka.
No. 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas continued his unbeaten streak to the 2023 season, beating a very good Jiri Lehecka 6-3 7-6(2) 6-4 to reach the semifinals for a third consecutive year.
Tsitsipas took an early lead in the first set at 30-0, and with little bother he won the set 6-3 inside 36 minutes, being the dominant player without much sweat.
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A tiebreak in the second set, and the decider began with a grueling back-of-court rally that Tsitsipas won, when Lehecka hit long – an early minibreak.
A fierce forehand winner was clouted down the line for the Greek for 2-0. An ace extended his lead. A long rally on Lehecka’s followed, but Tsitsipas was always in charge and settled it with an easy smash.
Lehecka kept himself in it with an ace for 1-4, but Tsitsipas suddenly started serving like a dream and it was soon 5-1. Emphatic serve-volleying then secured him five set points. Lehecka, saved the first with a firm first serve but not the second, which Tsitsipas took with a brilliant angled crosscourt forehand to the corner. It was an even, closely-fought set.
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With two sets up and needing just a set to fully be in the semifinal, Tsitsipas played incredibly well to seal it for 6-4 in the third set.
The win is his fourth time reaching the last four in the past five years (2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023).
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In his on-court interview post-match, Tsitsipas showed his appreciation to the crowd at Rod Laver Arena.
“I like a lot of things in Australia, the people are very welcoming. I’ve said that so many times but I’ll keep saying it because it’s very true. I grew up in a place that’s very similar in terms of conditions and lifestyle. I find myself feeling at home when I’m here.
“It felt different this time from any other match, but the most important thing was that I found a solution,” says Tsitsipas.
“It was a very difficult three-setter, one of the most difficult ones that I’ve had so far in the competition. I think Jiri had a very good tournament. He’s someone who has started playing well recently and I wish him the very best for the future,” he concluded.
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A great start to the season from Tsitsipas, extending his victories from the United Cup to Melbourne. His win makes it the ninth in 2023, and twelfth consecutive win since the Mubadala WTC.
He is now two wins away from a first Grand Slam title and rising to World No. 1 on the ATP ranking.
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