Magic carpet ride
Tsitsipas ready to win
GREEK tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas is back on his magic carpet and taking everyone along for the ride.
He just needs to make sure he doesn’t fall off this time.
The adopted favourite son of Melbourne‘s large Mediterranean community, Tsitipas is just one win from reaching his first Australian Open final.
He’s so close he can feel the excitement and is already talking up his chances.
“It’s a match that I’m looking forward to. It’s great to be back in the semi-finals,” he said. “Of course, I’m definitely happy with the way I’ve been playing so far. I’m looking ahead for more, for better. Looking to create some magical experiences here in Australia.”
All the omens look good for Tsitsipas this time as he prepares for his semi-final opponent, Russia’s Karen Khachanov, on Friday.
The pair have played each other five times before, with Tsitsipas winning each time, but he still isn’t taking anything for granted because this is the first time they’ve squared off in a best-of-five sets match at the Australian Open.
Ranked fourth in the world, Tsitsipas has more experience on Melbourne’s hardcourts than his Russian rival, but he’s also bombed out in his previous three Australian Open semis, in 2019, 2021 and 2022, so has been working as much on his head as his body.
“I’m a different player, playing differently. My mentality is different,” he said.
“When I’m out on the court, I don’t really think of negatives, to be honest. I just go out there and play the game. It’s clearly mindset. Nothing more. I think it’s absolutely that.”
Still only 24, Tsitsipas has all the physical attributes to be a grand slam champion but questions remain about his mental toughness after he imploded during his bitter showdown with Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon last year.
Tsitsipas has been on his best behaviour since returning to Australia but knows the biggest tests are still to come.
Khachanov is no shrinking violet. A semi-finalist at last year’s US Open, he is one of the most improved players in the game and has a reputation as a giant-killer after beating Kyrgios in New York.
He’s had to deal with a lot of other issues in Melbourne – including being heckled over his nationality even though he’s competed as a “neutral”, so is battle-hardened and ready for anything.
“Making the semi-finals at the US Open gave me an extra boost and extra confidence to show where I really am and what I can do when I’m at my best and how I can be more consistent,” he said.