Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic passed American Tommy Paul this Friday into the final of the Australian Open, at Melbourne Park, where he will face Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the race for the 10th trophy, 22nd major of the career.
Tsitsipas, the world number four, came into action on Friday as the first in the semifinals and fought against the Russian Karen Khachanov, 20th in the ATP ranking, in a balanced duel to qualify for the first time for the meeting of the ‘Happy Slam’ title, in four parts, with 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, 6-7 (6-8) and 6-3.
In a game that was resolved after three hours and 21 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena, the Greek, aged 24, recorded 66 winners, including 18 aces, against 34 unforced errors, against 46 winning runs and 32 non- fouls provoked by the opponent, to defeat the Muscovite and reach the final of a Grand Slam tournament for the second time in his career, after Roland Garros in 2021, the year he lost to Djokovic.
“It’s moments like this that I’ve worked hard for. Finals like this can play, but finals with even greater meaning. It’s a Grand Slam final and I’m fighting for number one. It’s a childhood dream to be number one in the Grand Slam world. I’m close. I’m happy with this opportunity to arrive here in Australia, which is a place of immense significance to me,” Tsitsipas said on court.
Also on the other side of the net in the final challenge of the first major of the season will be a player who could recapture the lead of the ATP ranking, Novak Djokovic, if he wins his 10th trophy at Melbourne Park.
The tennis player from Belgrade, nine-time Australian Open champion, had no great difficulty beating Tommy Paul (35th ATP). He debuted at the age of 25 in a Grand Slam semifinal, guaranteeing continuity in the competition in consecutive sets, parts of 7-5, 6-1 and 6-2, in two hours and 20 minutes.
After the victory over the American, Novak Djokovic, who has never lost a semi-final or final in the Australian tournament, made an appointment with Stefano Tsitsipas, to whom he only lost twice in 12 head-to-head encounters.
On Sunday, from 8:30 am, the title of the 2023 Australian Open and the leadership of world tennis are at stake. While the Greek will try to capture the first major of his career and rise to the top of the world hierarchy, the 35-year-old Serb will fight to equal Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles and gain status of number one to regain. a. one worldwide.
Source: DN
