After taking the opener for the loss of just two games, the 24-year-old faced sterner resistance in the second. Tsitsipas, though, stood firm, saving a set point to take a commanding two-set lead on Rod Laver Arena.
With Griekspoor’s challenge fading away in the third, the 2021 Roland Garros finalist improved to 9-0 in sets at Melbourne Park this year. The third seed is now through to the second week for the third straight year, fourth overall, without dropping a set.
In his on-court interview, Tsitsipas told Jim Courier about his dedicated time for fans and sending some of them signed postcards.
He continued:
Tsitsipas will face fellow young gun Jannik Sinner in a blockbuster fourth-round clash on Sunday for a place in the last eight. The Greek is 4-1 against the 15th seed, including a win in last year’s quarterfinal at Melbourne Park.
“I enjoyed fighting my way through today” - Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas has been a man on a mission at the Australian Open this year. One of three players in the fray to leave Melbourne Park as the World No. 1, the young Greek is now 7-0 this season and is yet to drop a set in three matches this week.
Following his win over Griekspoor, an understandably elated Tsitsipas said in his on-court interview:
Stefanos Tsitsipas has now won 18 matches at the Australian Open, the same tally he has managed at Roland Garros. He needs to go all the way at Melbourne Park to become World No. 1.
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