Roger Federer has bowed out of this year’s Australian Open, going down in four sets to Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The back-to-back winner of the previous two Aussie Opens took the first set after a gruelling tie-breaker, but his young opponent was clearly proving to be up to the challenge.
The 14-seed then stunned fans and Federer, winning the next three sets and booking himself a place in the quarterfinal.
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“I’m the happiest man on earth right now,” Tsitsipas said post-game.
“Roger is a legend of our sport, so much respect for him. He showed such good tennis over the years. I’ve been analysing him since the age of six, and it was a dream come true for me just being on Rod Laver Arena facing him. Winning at the end, I cannot describe it.”
Federer meanwhile paid tribute to the 20-year-old.
“There are always multiple factors that play into a match like this,” Federer said post-game.
“But it definitely didn't go the way I was hoping on the break points. I also didn't break him at the Hopman Cup, so clearly something is wrong how I return him, what I'm trying to do. He's doing a good job to defend them.” Tsitsipas will now face 23rd seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarterfinal.
Bautista Agut upset six-seed Marin Cilic yesterday.
Number two seed Angelique Kerber was stunned by American Danielle Collins, losing the first seed 6-0.
Rafael Nadal was too good for Tomas Berdych, while another unseeded American in Frances Tiafoe defeated Grigor Dimitrov in four sets.