Stefanos Tsitsipas stromed past Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to enter the Australian Open semifinals for the second year in a row.
After surviving an up-and-down five-setter against American No. 1 Taylor Fritz, the World No. 4 maintained an elite level throughout the two-hour, five-minute contest on Rod Laver Arena.
ALSO READ: Denis Shapovalov calls umpire Carlos Bernandes ‘corrupt’, loses to Rafael Nadal
The Greek player did not face a single break point through the three sets.
Hang this in the Louvre 🎨
🎥: @wwos • @espn • #Eurosport • @wowowtennis @steftsitsipas • #AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/h0LWMtB0Bt
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2022
“Jannik is a very good player. So I tried to focus on my best shots and it paid off more than I thought,” Tsitsipas said in his on-court interview.
Sharpen your forehand with our FREE guide
“I am very, very happy with the way I served today and the way I came in and used my tactics in today’s match structure. Having the crowd support is truly unbelievable.”
Heavy rain gave Sinner a welcome respite, forcing a 20-minute delay as the roof was closed and court dried.
ALSO READ: Alize Cornet overcomes brutal heat, Simona Halep
But like in the opening set, both men continued to hold serve comfortably as Tsitsipas eased to a two-set lead.
Swiatek sets up semifinal with Collins
Seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek clawed back from a set down to beat 36-year-old Kaia Kanepi 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3 and move into the semifinals.
ALSO READ: Nick Kyrgios makes locker room ‘fight’ claim
The 2020 French Open winner took three hours in temperatures reaching 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit) to secure her spot in the final four in her third trip to Melbourne Park.
No. 115-ranked Kanepi made her Grand Slam debut in 2006 but was playing in the quarterfinals in Australia for the first time, completing a career set after making it to the last eight twice at each of the sport’s three other major tournaments.
ALSO READ: ‘I’m not God; I can’t win every match’ says Naomi Osaka
Swiatek will face fiery American Danielle Collins in the last four.
Collins ended French veteran Alize Cornet’s dream run with a 7-5, 6-1 win.
ALSO READ: Barbora Krejcikova accused of gamesmanship again
The American swung the match in her favor with a key service break in the final game of the opening set on her way to a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Alize Cornet.
