DELICACY NAMED ON TSITSIPAS

MELBOURNE: Apart from fans and observers, a restaurant in the city seems to have been won over by the 20-year-old Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas’s showing. Stalactites, which specialises in Greek cuisine, said it would name a souvlaki, a popular Greek delicacy, after the young tennis star. Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, who reached the Australian Open final in 2006, is the only other player to have a souvlaki named after him. “If he (Tsitsipas) could have a good run to the final like Marcos then we can definitely name a souvlaki after him too,” said the restaurant’s manager Nicole Papasavvas.

Ashleigh Barty stunned Maria Sharapova to become the first hometown hope in a decade to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals on Sunday, creating a frenzy in a nation desperate for Grand Slam success. On the same day, second seeded German Angelique Kerber crashed out of the tournament with an astonishing onesided loss to American Danielle Collins.

Roared on by a fiercely parochial crowd, including Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison and tennis legend Rod Laver, 15th seed Barty held her nerve in the face of a late fightback from the Russian five-time Grand Slam champion for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 win. The venue erupted when 22-year-old Barty finally sealed match point with an ace after Sharapova set Australian hearts racing with a surge towards the end of the third set.

“The crowd were unbelievable. I’ve never quite played in Rod Laver when it’s been that full,” said Barty, joking “that was a little bit close, wasn’t it?” after allowing Sharapova back into the match.

CRICKET STINT

Barty is familiar with Australia’s craving. She took a break from tennis in late 2014 to pursue experiences away from the tour, including playing professional cricket. “I needed to take that time away. I feel like I came back a better person on and off the court, a better tennis player. For me, having that 18 months off was vital,” she said.

Barty will now face Petra Kvitova for a place in the semi-finals. Twice Wimbledon champion Kvitova steamrolled American teenager Amanda Anisimova 6-2 6-1 to sail into the quarter-finals on Sunday.

COLLINS’ STUNNER

Anyone unfamiliar with Danielle Collins — and that could be forgiven, really, considering her 0-5 mark at majors until this Australian Open — got a sense