MELBOURNE: Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas recovered from two sets down to stun Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Wednesday, ending the Spaniard’s bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title.
Second seed Nadal was on course for a comfortable victory before Tsitsipas turned the match around to prevail 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-5 in a seismic upset.
“I don’t know what happened after the third set — I fly like little bird, everything was working for me,” Tsitsipas said.
“The emotions at the end were indescribable, they were something else.”
It was just the second time Nadal had lost when two sets up in a Grand Slam, having previously fallen to Fabio Fognini in the third round of the 2015 US Open.
Nadal, 34, remains tied with Roger Federer on 20 Grand Slam titles, but Novak Djokovic can pull within two if he wins his 18th major trophy at Melbourne Park.
Fifth seed Tsitsipas will now attempt to reach a maiden Grand Slam final when he plays the in-form Daniil Medvedev in the semifinal.
He beat Nadal for just the second time from eight matches. Djokovic will play the other semifinal against Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev.
Australian Open: Stefanos Tsitsipas stuns Rafael Nadal in five sets
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Australian Open: Stefanos Tsitsipas stuns Rafael Nadal in five sets
- Second-seed Nadal was on course for a comfortable victory before Tsitsipas turned the match around
Flick: We are here to win the Spanish Super Cup
- Hansi Flick: Athletic Bilbao has many attacking options and we have to play our best game defensively and offensively
- Flick: We have to be smart about the players we sign. Our players are progressing. Our youngsters are developing, and we have faith in them
JEDDAH: Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said that his team is fully prepared for their Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Athletic Bilbao, in Jeddah, on Wednesday, and hopes to go all the way in the tournament.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the German coach discussed the team’s current form and a range of related topics, including the imminent signing of Joao Cancelo.
He said: “There are two games left to win the title. That’s motivation enough. At Barca, you want to win titles. That’s what the club and the fans want. We’re here to be successful.”
“It is a tough match against Athletic Bilbao which is considered as one of the best teams in the La Liga. Athletic has many attacking options and we have to play our best game defensively and offensively.”
On the signing of Joao Cancelo, he confirmed: “It’s not a done deal, but I’d be happy if it goes through. We talked about signing a center-back, but this is a good option for these six months.”
“Joao is a good player and he can play both (left and right) full-backs. That’s why we need him.”
“We have to be smart about the players we sign. Our players are progressing. Our youngsters are developing, and we have faith in them.
