BREAKING NEWS: Rafael Nadal is OUT of the Australian Open as Stefanos Tsitsipas produces one of the greatest Grand Slam comebacks from two sets down to end Spaniard’s quest for a record 21st Grand Slam title
- Rafael Nadal threw away a two-set lead to Stefanos Tsitsipas to crash out of the Australian Open semi-final
- The Spaniard lost 2-6 3-6 7-6 6-4 7-5 in a thriller that lasted over four hours
- Tsitsipas’ comeback is being billed as one of the greatest in Grand Slam history
Stefanos Tsitsipas produced one of the great Grand Slam comebacks of recent times to oust Rafael Nadal from the Australian Open.
The 22 year-old Greek inflicted only the second defeat on the great Spaniard in which he has lost after winning the first two sets.
Tsitsipas won 2-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5 in just over four hours before an empty Rod Laver Arena to make the semi-finals, in which he will face Russian Daniil Medvedev.
Stefanos Tsitsipas came from two sets down to stun Rafa Nadal in the Australian Open semis
The Greek beat the world number two 2-6 3-6 7-6 6-4 7-5 in a thriller that lasted over four hours
‘I’m speechless,’ said Tsitspias afterwards. ‘I focussed to staying calm and holding my nerves. I have no words to describe what just happened.
‘It’s an unbelievable feeling to be able to fight at such a level and leave it all on the court. I started very nervous and I don’t know what happened after the third set. Everything was working for me. The emotions are indescribable.’
There were shades of 2019, when Tsitsipas recovered from losing the first set to shock Roger Federer in four sets.
Tsitsipas described the emotions of stunning major challenger Nadal as ‘indescribable’
Nadal overcame a hesitant start to gain near total control until midway through the third set, and still looked on course until the tiebreak, which he partly tossed away with a series of shanks and miscued overheads.
Having gained the lifeline the young Greek went into overdrive, with his previously misfiring forehand becoming more and more efficient.
Surprisingly, the physicality of Tsitsipas proved stronger than that of the French Open champion, who will for now not overtake Roger Federer’s 20 Grand Slam titles.
Nadal was in total control until he let his lead slip and made a series of errrors in the fifth set
At 5-5 in the fifth set Nadal was broken with a slew of errors. When it came to serving it out he threatened to come back by defying two match points, before the Greek finally nailed it with one last flowing backhand down the line.
A breathaking contest ended with Tsitsipas winning 145 points to his 142 for Nadal in what looked like a coming of age performance.