Stefanos Tsitsipas to play for Australian Open title and No. 1 ranking after defeating Karen Khachanov

The wait is over for Stefanos Tsitsipas. After seeing three Australian Open bids ended in the semifinals, the world No. 4 has gone a step further at the tournament he lovingly calls his home Slam.

Tsitsipas battled past No. 18 seed Karen Khachanov, 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3, on Friday to reach his second major final. The 24-year-old remained undefeated against Khachanov in six career meetings, improving his record at the Melbourne major to 21-5. He is off to a 10-0 start in 2023, having won all four of his singles matches at the inaugural United Cup coming in.

“I thought of how hard I worked to get to this position. It takes a little bit more. I wasn’t able to deliver that in the third set. I was extremely close to get it,” he told Jim Courier afterwards. “If you dedicate yourself even more, if you concentrate on these important moments even more, it pays off quite well. Always having that ambiance in the background somewhere feels so good when I’m able to hit the ball and get such a reward back from the fans.”

A victory in Sunday’s final would see Tsitsipas break new ground as Greece’s first Grand Slam champion and propel the Athens native to the top of the ATP rankings for the first time. After nine-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic advanced past Tommy Paul in the second semifinal, it confirmed that the championship contest will decide which player overtakes Carlos Alcaraz for No. 1.

“I like that number. It’s all about you, it’s singular,” he said on court. “These are the moments I’ve been working hard for, to be able to play in finals like this, that have a bigger meaning than just the final. It’s a childhood dream to be capturing that No. 1 spot one day. I’m close. I’m happy that this opportunity comes here in Australia, because this is a place of significance. Let’s do it guys. LET’S GO!”

In the opening set, Tsitsipas was twice unable to back up a break of serve. One of his worst games of the day came when he served for it at 5-3, double-faulting away the first two points and later flubbing a serve-and-volley ploy to get broken.

Yet, the variety brought by Tsitsipas to Rod Laver Arena ultimately paved the path to a one-set lead. He challenged the Russian’s backhand wing by generating high-bouncing shots with his one-hander and kick serve. He created discomfort for Khachanov by forcing him forward with short, low slices. And he put far more returns in play to ensure free points didn’t come easy for the 2022 US Open semifinalist.

Khachanov kept battling early in the second, wiping away a trio of break points with strong serving. But after missing an opportunity to make a move on return at 4-3, deuce, Khachanov paid a hefty price.

At 15-30, he had three opportunities to put away an overhead. All three were successfully blocked by Tsitsipas in the shaded portion of the back court. Once the point reset, the No. 3 seed took control, bringing the crowd on its feet with a finishing forehand crosscourt winner. An unforced error off the forehand from Khachanov followed to end the game, and Tsitsipas ensured there was no let down with serving out the set this time around.

Tsitsipas put his diversity of shot-making and defensive skills on full display in the third game of set three to keep charging ahead. There was a blazing forehand on the run at 30-15 that put him in position to win a point he had no business taking. There was a floating backhand slice approach that set up his first of three break points. Tsitsipas' ongoing ability to make solid returns off his opponent’s first serve eventually led to Khachanov buckling with a mis-timed forehand.

Needless to say, Khachanov didn’t go away quietly. He navigated a key 10-point game to hold for 3-4. When Tsitsipas had the match on his racquet, Khachanov stepped up to the plate with heavy hitting and superb scrambling. He was rewarded a shanked smash from a nervous Stef to level and held at love for the second straight game.

Tension filled the air as the tiebreak played out. The first seven points went to the server, until Tsitsipas won a baseline battle. He looked primed to close when reaching 6-4, but was outdueled by a gutsy rival. Khachanov brilliantly saved his first match point with an inside-in forehand winner to cap a gripping 18-shot rally. He courageously pulled the trigger on that same shot to erase the second one, to a gasping audience. When the two traded ends, it was Tsitsipas who broke down with a pair of sloppy shots to see the finish line extended.

The question of how the Greek would handle the blow was answered with a concentrated, composed response. A 40-0 lead on serve that turned to deuce was brushed off. He went back to employing versatility and using foot speed to reassert himself on the baseline. A grueling 18-shot exchange went in his favor for a 2-0 lead and he won 12 of his next 13 service points to stay in front, 5-2. When Tsitsipas served for it a game later, he finally shut the door after three hours and 21 minutes.

“I think it was very close, very good-level match,” Khachanov reflected in his press conference. “He took over in some important moments, some important points. He got the win, so simple as that.”

Tsitsipas wrapped with 66 winners to 34 unforced errors. Khachanov suffered his 22nd consecutive defeat to a Top 10 player.

As for Djokovic: he rallied from two sets down to deny Tsitsipas in the 2021 French Open final and has reeled off nine consecutive wins in the pair's head-to-head series. Tsitsipas is looking to complete a Big 3 win set in Melbourne, following victories over Roger Federer in 2019 and Rafael Nadal in 2021.