The 2021 Australian Open quarter-final showdown.
Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas.
This was the second time the Greek star made it to the final eight.
Fans all around the world were excited for this showdown.
Unfortunately Nadal applied the pressure and took the opening set from Tsitsipas in 37 minutes.
There was also a pause in play during the first set when a seagull flying overhead not only pooed on the court, but also on Tsitsipas.
Skipping to the third set, with 2 hours on the match clock, they went to a tiebreak.
Tsitsipas wasn't ready to give up. On the other hand, that was Nadal’s first tie-breaker of the tournament.
And what a fightback from Tsitsipas!
After winning 35 consecutive sets, Nadal finally lost a set at the Grand Slam.
And that was the moment that sent the match into a fourth set.
We must also mention Tsitsipas’ 10th ace was an absolute ripper.
Tsitsipas maintained the aggression. Every time there was a half opportunity to move forward, he took it.
And that is how he took the match into a fifth set.
And after four hours and five minutes... Tsitsipas won 3-6, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5.
What a comeback. What an incredible match. Nadal is knocked out of the Australian Open and Tsitsipas is through to the Semis!
Greece's tennis star has become the second man to defeat Nadal from two sets down at a Grand Slam.
Tsitsipas got a warm embrace from his father following the biggest win of his career.
"I have no words to describe what went on the court. It’s an unbelievable feeling to play at such a level. I started very nervously, I don’t know what happened after the third set, I flew like a little bird. Everything worked," he said in his post match interview.
The emotions are indescribable. I focused on staying calm and holding my nerves. I would also give part of my victory by being calm with my mood. I have been working on trying to keep emotions to myself," he added.
Tsitsipas will now face Russian Daniil Medvedev.
On another note, crowds will return to the Australian Open on Thursday, with approximately 50% capacity being allowed back as Victoria’s snap five-day lockdown draws to a close.
This means Tsitsipas' fans will be back cheering loud for him in the stands.
GO STEFANOS TSITSIPAS!!!
World No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas has invited his fans to accompany him on his journey on and off the court.
Dubbed the next Roger Federer, Tsitsipas has been hitting the ball over the net from a young age.
In his short tennis career, he already has five ATP titles to his name. Moreover, he won the ATP Finals in 2019 and is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist.
Over the years there will a lot more to celebrate.
The 22-year-old couldn’t contain his excitement announcing the news of his new original series, ‘Dear Fans’ on social media.
The series has now started streaming on the Tennis Channel.