Australian Open 2023: Stefanos Tsitsipas Enters Men's Singles Final, Beats Karen Khachanov In Four Sets

Australian Open 2023: Khachanov did put up a gritty effort but eventually his opponent proved to be too good for him on the day.

The intense match lasted for 3 hours and 21 minutes after which the first men's singles finalist was decided.

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Greek Tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Karen Khachanov in the men's singles semi-final of the Australian Open 2023 at the  Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Friday. Tsitsipas registered a victory in four sets overcoming his Russian opponent  7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3. Khachanov did put up a gritty effort but eventually his opponent proved to be too good for him on the day. 

The intense match lasted for 3 hours and 21 minutes after which the first finalist was decided. Tsitsipas will play the winner of the second Australian Open semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Tommy Paul in the final on Sunday.

"I feel blessed for the fact that I am able to play tennis at this level. I’ve been wanting for many years now to put Greek tennis on the map," Tsitsipas said in his on-court interview after the match."

With the 24-year-old having made it to the final two, he now has a chance to get to the world number 1 ranking. When asked about the same, the Greek tennis star said: "I like that number. Yeah. It’s all about you. It’s singular. It’s one."

The ex-World number 3 also disclosed that it been a childhood dream of his get to the number 1 ranking in world tennis. He also agreed to the fact that the same seems well within his reach on this occasion. The Greek star said that the fact that he could be the number 1 in the world makes this final more important that any other he has ever participated in.

“You know, these are the moments that I’ve been working hard for. To be able to play finals like this, but finals that have a bigger meaning, than just (any other) final. It’s a Grand Slam final. I am fighting for the No. 1 spot and it’s a childhood dream to be capturing that No. 1 spot one day. I am close,” he said.