Tsitsipas

Novak Djokovic dominates another opponent as he beats Tommy Paul to set up an Australian Open final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The towering youngster announced his arrival there with a famous 2019 win over defending champion Roger Federer in the fourth round, only for a captivating run to be ended when he was crushed by Rafael Nadal in his first semi-final appearance. Djokovic celebrated by cocking his ear to the crowd and, with a steely focus back, broke twice in each of the next two sets to secure victory after two hour and 20 minutes. At a tournament with a hard-court surface on which he thrives, and in a city where he is warmly backed by its large Greek population, Tsitsipas has long appeared destined for success at the Australian Open. Tsitsipas lost to Djokovic in the 2021 French Open final and now has the opportunity to avenge that defeat in his first appearance in the Australian Open showpiece. Serving for the set, Djokovic allowed his progress to be derailed by a row with umpire Damien Dumusois over the French official starting the 25-second shot clock while he was still using his towel. Another tight forehand saw a third chance disappear in what proved to be the final game, before Tsitsipas regained his composure to convert his fourth when Khachanov batted long a first serve.

Novak Djokovic equals Serena Williams on the all-time list for most Grand Slam singles finals reached (33); The 21-time Grand Slam champion also seals a ...

"I respect him (Tsitsipas) a lot, he has improved a lot over the years. Let the best player win." The 35-year-old, who set a new record of 27 straight match wins here, said: "I'm just really pleased to get to another final," said Djokovic.

Stefanos Tsitsipas will face Novak Djokovic in Sunday's Australian Open Final. Here's what you need to know about the Greek tennis phenom.

Born in Athens, Tsitsipas is a proud Greek who is “in love” with his country. Tsitsipas has described himself as a loner, saying “I would love to have friends on tour. “On the court after this, I was looser and more relaxed.” As a teenager, Tsitsipas almost drowned when swimming in the Mediterranean Sea – he was saved by his father, who helped him to a rock. [Tennis](https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/tags/tennis-topic) is always going to be there. “Tennis players, we're travelling all year long, away from our home, and it's not easy,” he told the New York Times.

But Russian Khachanov clung on, breaking Tsitsipas and then saving two match points in the third-set tie-break before the Greek eventually clinched a 7-6 (1) 6- ...

I am close and I am happy that this is coming in Australia, a place of significance for me. Tsitsipas will become world number one if he wins the title on Sunday, and he added: “I like that number. It brings back memories of being a kid and watching it on TV and cheering him on.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas had joked he wanted Robbie to watch him play but, after making the final in Melbourne, he is having second thoughts.

But Tsitsipas remained coy, insisting: “The plan is for me to do my job, play good tennis and the rest can come afterwards. Tsitsipas remains in a relationship with Theodora Petalas, with the pair enjoying keeping things away from the media spotlight. Stefanos Tsitsipas has admitted he hopes Hollywood actress Margot Robbie opts against accepting his offer to attend the Australian Open final.

On the fourth time of asking and, after surviving a late wobble, the Greek finally booked his place in the final, the second Grand Slam final of his career ...

But he recovered from a break down, saved two match points against him in the tiebreak with monstrous forehands deep into the court before winning the set. I never thought I would be treated so well here, so I’m extremely happy I’m in the final now.” Amid the Khachanov comeback, however, both proved resolute. In contrast to Djokovic’s semi-final record at Melbourne Park, Tsitsipas had three times made it to the last four without success. “Coming from a small country like Greece, I feel so grateful I get the support like this. That was the key.”