![Tsitsipas the Great: Historic qualification to the final of the Australian Open](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-01-27T055838Z_90482354_UP1EJ1R0GLP3J_RTRMADP_5_TENNIS-AUSOPEN.jpg)
Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open final, swept Katsanov 3-1 and is preparing for the biggest challenge of his career!
Stefanos Tsitsipas (No.4) with a sensational performance defeated Karen Katsanov (No.20) 3-1 and qualified for the first time (after three failed attempts) to the final of the Australian Open! For the second time in his career he is in a Grand Slam final!
6/6 against the Russian and “Steph” now turns his gaze to the final on Sunday (29/1), where he will face either Novak Djokovic (No.5) or Tommy Paul (No.35) .
Tsitsipas has fought the Serbian legend in the Roland Garros final in 2021, where he was defeated. Whichever of the two (Djokovic or Tsitsipas) wins the Australian Open, then he will rise to No.1 in world ranking. However, if Paul pulls off the surprise and takes it, then the Spaniard Alcarath will remain at the top of the ATP!
Tsitsipas also became the youngest men’s tennis player since 2006 to reach three consecutive Australian Open semifinals. The “king” Roger Federer was the first to do it, in the three years 2004 – 2006, at the age of 24. Since then, no one under the age of 25 has been able to achieve this, with the Greek champion breaking that record.
![](http://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/te-600x399.jpg)
The match
The two tennis players went neck to neck until the 6th game. Tsitsipas held his serve and took a 4-3 lead, then “broke” his opponent and took a 5-3 lead. And while serving for 1-0, he started with two “double faults” and gave Katsanov the opportunity to “respond” to the breaks and re-enter the match (4-5).
Although he seemed to lose his concentration a little, the 24-year-old champion managed to show his class in the tiebreak, he lost only 2 points and with 7-6 (2) took the first set and led (1-0). And as many times in the past Tsitsipas had managed to get ahead in the end he celebrated.
In the 26 (including today) matches he has played on the main draw of the Australian Open during his career, Tsitsipas has never lost after winning the first set. In total, he has won it 15 times in the tournament and now counts 15 out of 15 victories. On the contrary, when he lost the first set he experienced defeat 5 times!
For 8 games in the second set there was absolute balance. As in the first, Tsitsipas and Katsanov held their serve easily or with difficulty (4-4), with the Greek champion breaking in the 9th and taking a significant lead at 5-4. He served for 2-0 and this time he didn’t give the Russian any room to “answer” and with 6-4 he laid the foundations for the qualification to the final.
With high spirits, Tsitsipas from the beginning of the third set and took a 3-1 lead, looking ready to comfortably reach 3-0. And while he had the serve for the win, Katsanov reacted and equalized at 5-5 proving more thrills.
The Russian “got the upper hand” and led 6-5, Tsitsipas equalized and everything was decided in the tie break. There, where the 24-year-old tennis player led 6-4 and had two chances to close the match, however, Katsanov managed to turn things around and with 8-6 reduce to 2-1 and re-entered the competition.
And while Katsanov had the momentum in the game, Tsitsipas entered the 4th set determined. With a quick break and after holding his serve, he took a 3-0 lead, keeping the situation in his hands. And this time he proved to be completely consistent and with 6-3 he reached 3-1 and was adored by the audience at Rod Laver Arena.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/power-lines-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates
According to reports, the government will resume an electricity subsidization program, given that forecasts cite disruptions – i.e. higher rates
![ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ot_georg_PROIONTA_money-1-600x352.png)
ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock
The 6.3% rise in May 2024 is largely driven by an 8.8% increase in the crop output group, particularly due to changes in olive oil prices, and a 0.5% increase in the animal output group.
![Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/blackout-1-600x457.png)
Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids
The surge in electricity demand during the heat wave and the power deficit in Balkan markets have driven up prices in the Greek wholesale electricity market.
![Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ploio-600x400.jpg)
Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists
Greece was selected by 5.9% of respondents who were asked where they would vacation this year, up from 5.4% in the same survey last year
![Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/euros-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive
The international ratings firm raised Greece to investment grade in early August 2023
![First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hellenic-seaplanes-pilotikes-ptiseis-ydatino-pedio-lavriou-600x450.jpeg)
First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros
After decades of on-again, off-again efforts to schedule regular seaplane routes to Greece's numerous island and coastal destinations the prospect now appears within sight
![ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/unnamed-41.jpg)
ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y
The same price index had decreased 20.8% from May 2022 to May 2023
![Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ergasia-ergazomenos-600x300.jpg)
Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated
Specifically, the option "Subjective opinions are prioritized over objective data" ranked highest in importance for young employees, with a score of 3.89 out of 4
![OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ergasiabusinness-768x556-1-1-600x434.jpeg)
OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece
By the fourth quarter of 2023, job vacancies per unemployed person had risen by more than 4, with the index reaching 446 units compared to 100 units in late 2019
![OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ΟΤΕ-Group_1-600x450.jpg)
OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece
This initiative will provide ultra-fast internet speeds of up to 1Gbps to over 350,000 households and businesses in semi-urban and rural areas across the country