Five Things We Learned From The Australian Open

As we turn the page from the first month of the 2023 ATP Tour season, we look back at some of the key takeaways from the Australian Open. From the dominant performances of champion Novak Djokovic and finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas to the first-week odyssey of Andy Murray, there was no shortage of storylines at the year's first Grand Slam.

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1. Djokovic Sets The Standard
The Serbian left Melbourne as World No. 1, reclaiming the top spot in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time since last June. The honour is reward for a scintillating stretch of results dating back to Wimbledon: Djokovic is 38-2 since the start of the grass-court Slam, winning six of his seven tour-level events in that span.

The 35-year-old carried his red-hot 2022 form into the new year, peaking in the later rounds of the Australian Open. Despite a hamstring injury he suffered in Adelaide limiting his movement in the opening rounds, Djokovic dropped just one set in Melbourne — to Enzo Couacaud in the second round — before hitting top form in devastatingly one-sided wins against Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev.

Tested by Tsitsipas in the final, the Serbian took a page from a familiar playbook by being the more solid player in the clutch moments, winning two tie-breaks to secure a record-extending 10th Australian Open title and a record-tying 22nd Grand Slam men's singles crown.

2. Tsitsipas Hits Top Form
The Greek had been to three Australian Open semi-finals, including each of the past two, before this season. But he broke new ground at what he affectionately calls his "home Slam", advancing to the title match with the loss of just three sets.

While he missed out on the chance to debut atop the Pepperstone ATP Rankings with defeat to Djokovic on Sunday, Tsitsipas is back up to his career high of World No. 3 after reaching his second major final. It's a fitting milestone for the 24-year-old, who showcased some of the best tennis of his career in Melbourne, particularly off his powerful forehand wing.

Following a strong close to the 2022 season that included runs to two finals (Astana, Stockholm) and a semi-final (Paris), the Greek built on that success in Australia, where he won his first 10 singles matches dating back to the United Cup. His most impressive performance at the Australian Open came in the fourth round, when he held off a furious comeback from Jannik Sinner to advance in five sets.

3. American & Chinese Men On The Rise
With Tommy Paul, Sebastian Korda and Ben Shelton all reaching the AO quarter-finals, it marked the first time since 2000 that three American men featured in the last eight Down Under — and the first time the United States had three quarter-finalists at any Slam since the 2005 US Open. Paul, who broke into the Top 20 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time on Monday, went on to reach the semis in his best major showing.

Eight Americans were among the last 32 in Melbourne, including J.J. Wolf, who reached the fourth round. He is one of 10 U.S. players in the Top 50 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

The 2023 Australian Open also marked a milestone for Chinese men's tennis. Shang Juncheng, Wu Yibing and Zhang Zhizhen became the first male trio from the nation to compete in a Grand Slam singles draw in the Open Era, and the first in Australian Open history. The 17-year-old Shang, a qualifier, advanced to the second round as the youngest player in the field.

4. Upsets Showcase ATP Tour's Depth 
In addition to the three unseeded AO quarter-finalists (Paul, Shelton, Jiri Lehecka), a slew of early upsets was the latest example of the unrelenting depth of talent on the ATP Tour. In reaching the quarters, the Czech Lehecka knocked off 11th seed Cameron Norrie and sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in consecutive matches. The 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up did not have any Grand Slam wins across his debuts at all four majors last season.

The Melbourne second round saw three Top 10 men exit: Mackenzie McDonald took out top seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal in straight sets, Jenson Brooksby eliminated second seed Casper Ruud in four, and home favourite Alexei Popyrin edged Taylor Fritz in five. One round later, Korda dismissed returning finalist Daniil Medvedev in three sublime sets.

5. Murray Fights On, Finds New Gear
At the tournament where he announced his potential retirement in 2019, Murray delivered three vintage performances to flash his credentials as a Grand Slam contender. He saved a match point in a thrilling five-set win against 13th seed and returning semi-finalist Matteo Berrettini in the opening round, then followed it up with a comeback from two-sets-to-love down against Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round. 

While he bowed out with a loss to 24th seed Roberto Bautista Agut, the 35-year-old Briton again demonstrated his battling qualities by winning a set and pushing the Spaniard to the last ball despite his previous exertions. Across his three matches, Murray spent more than 14 hours on court, including 10 hours and 34 minutes in his two victories.

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Djokovic v Tsitsipas: The Rivalry

The 13th ATP Head2Head matchup between Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas will play out on Sunday in the 2023 Australian Open final, with the contest doubling as a straight shootout for No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

Ahead of the title match, ATPTour.com breaks down six classic matches between the pair.

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2022 Rolex Paris Masters SF, hard, Djokovic d. Tsitsipas 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(4)
Djokovic extended his winning streak to eight straight matches against Tsitsipas with this gutsy victory, claiming the final four points of the match after falling behind by a mini-break in the decisive tie-break. In a high-quality contest that ebbed and flowed, Djokovic was at his best early and late, though Tsitsipas nearly snatched victory after edging ahead 4/3 in the tie-break.

The pair combined for 63 winners and just 23 unforced errors with clean hitting at the ATP Masters 1000 event. Djokovic's dominant serving made the difference, as he won 84 per cent (41/49) of his first-serve points and did not face a break point in the first or third set.

"Deservedly so, we went into — both of us — into an even battle all the way until the last point, until the last shot," the Serbian said. "Some incredible points towards the end. I'm just really glad to overcome this challenge." Read Match Report.

Djokovic won all four of his 2022 matches against Tsitsipas, dropping just one set across matches in Rome, Astana, Paris and Turin.

2021 Roland Garros Final, clay, Djokovic d. Tsitsipas 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4
Tsitsipas was within touching distance of his first Grand Slam title after a battling performance in set one and a dominant display in set two, with the Greek firmly in the ascendency behind his attacking game. But Djokovic left the court after losing the second set and emerged as a "different player", shifting the match decisively when play resumed.

Suddenly it was the Serbian on the front foot as he dialled up the aggression and introduced doubt into his opponent's game. He did not face a break point in the final three sets, controlling each one behind an early break.

"I managed to make a break, early break in the third," Djokovic said post-match. "After that, I felt like I got into his head. I feel like I started swinging through the ball better. The momentum was on my side, it shifted. There was no looking back from that moment.”

With his first comeback from two-sets-to-love in a major final, Djokovic won his 19th Slam title and his second in Paris. The victory also sealed a historic feat for the Serbian, making him the first player in the Open Era – and only the third player in history – to achieve the career Grand Slam twice. Read Match Report.

2021 Internazionali BNL d'Italia QF, clay, Djokovic d. Tsitsipas 4-6, 7-5, 7-5
In a match played across two days in Rome, Tsitsipas slept on a set-and-a-break lead before Djokovic began to find his footing on the clay. Trailing 6-4, 2-1 overnight, the Serbian forced a deciding set on Saturday, then twice battled back from a break deficit to advance to the Rome semi-finals for the eighth straight year.

Tsitsipas served for the match at 5-4 in the third, but fell victim to his opponent's unrelenting consistency and depth in the closing stages, several untimely errors proving his undoing.

“There are many things to say about today or yesterday’s match. It kind of felt like we played two matches," Djokovic reflected. "The one yesterday, where he was the better player. He started better today also. I managed to somehow to hold my nerve [and] break his serve in the important moments in the second and third sets." Read Match Report.

2020 Roland Garros SF, clay, Djokovic d. Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1
Djokovic nearly scored a straightforward victory in his first Grand Slam meeting with Tsitsipas, but the Greek's heavy hitting erased a match point at 5-4 in the third set and set the stage for a lengthy battle that clocked in at just under four hours.

With new life, Tsitsipas continued to pummel his groundstrokes and attack the Djokovic backhand. He fought off 10 of 11 break points in the fourth set, converting two from two on return, but ran out of steam in the fifth as Djokovic reasserted himself on Court Philippe Chatrier.

“I was definitely not pleased with the way I played the finishing stages of the third and fourth sets, but I was very pleased with the way I kept my composure mentally throughout the entire match,” said Djokovic. “I did feel that even though I lost the third and fourth, I still felt like I was the better player on the court. I had more control. I just felt comfortable playing." Read Match Report.

Djokovic improved to 37-1 on the 2020 season with the victory, though he would be turned back by Rafael Nadal in a three-set final.

2019 Rolex Shanghai Masters QF, hard, Tsitsipas d. Djokovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
Tsitsipas improved to 2-1 in this young rivalry with a stirring comeback to earn his first win against a reigning World No. 1. Djokovic cruised to the opening set, but Tsitsipas claimed the second with his first break, then saw home an early advantage in the decider.

After hitting two aces as he served out the match, the Greek punctuated his statement win with an overhead.

“It's the best comeback that I have ever had probably," Tsitsipas reflected. "It was a very difficult victory mentally too. I wasn't really thinking that long term that I have to win two sets. It just went step by step. It happened. I broke him, I won the set, I stayed there, broke him again, eventually I got the win at the end. I wasn't really thinking too much in the future, and I think that helped a lot." Read Match Report.

That same day, Tsitsipas qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time thanks to other results. He would mark his debut at the season finale with a surprise title, defeating Dominic Thiem in third-set tie-break in the London final.

2018 National Bank Open R16, Tsitsipas d. Djokovic 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3
Earning the second of four consecutive Top 10 wins in Toronto, Tsitsipas opened this ATP Head2Head series with a victory that helped propel him into stardom. Just days before his 20th birthday, the Greek introduced the world to his fearless game, closing out the win in fitting style with a ripped forehand winner.

"I feel very proud for me, myself, and my country. I'm putting Greece more deep into the map of tennis," the then 18-year-old said after the victory. "So I'm pretty sure I'm making my family proud, all of those people that are watching, my coach, my father. It was a very emotional win. I've never felt so many emotions after a victory." Read Match Report.

The Greek would go on to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 final with wins against Thiem, Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Kevin Anderson.

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Books, Psychologist, & Challenger Tour Play Role In Mmoh’s Top 100 Return

Michael Mmoh was one game away from qualifying for the 2022 US Open. Although he'd already played at Flushing Meadows three times, this was still another opportunity to compete in the main draw at his home Slam. But things suddenly went south after Mmoh was up 6-2, 5-2 on Gilles Simon. The American won just one more game and suffered a heartbreaking 6-2, 5-7, 1-6 loss.

Despite the defeat, Mmoh turned it into a lesson learned. After his loss to the Frenchman, Mmoh won 13 of his next 14 ATP Challenger Tour-level matches and was crowned champion at the Cary and Fairfield Challengers. The 25-year-old claims he sought after books and a psychologist to help him gain a new perspective.

“I think I put pressure on myself to do well during that US Open hard-court swing,” Mmoh told ATPTour.com. “I thought I was playing well at certain moments but I just wasn't winning matches. Against Simon, I was up 6-2, 5-2, probably played the best two sets of the whole year to that point. Then things went completely sideways. That was probably one of the toughest losses of my career.

 

“It forced me to explore everything and anything that could make me better. I started to look at myself in the mirror and find out ways I can improve. I was reading books, talking to psychologists, just trying to learn more about myself. I started switching that perspective to be more positive and optimistic, even when things weren’t going well. I tried to re-channel my energy in the right way.

“There’s a psychologist that used to be the head of mental conditioning at IMG Academy, he recently got hired by the Tampa Bay Rays. I just reached out to him. Whenever you want to have a conversation or text him about something, you just drop in and it’s much more organic than just meeting with him weekly. A lot of it comes down to how you respond in the moment, but you want to bounce ideas, bounce different perspectives. You learn more about the situation, what went wrong, what could’ve been better.”

Mmoh’s new mindset proved to be effective. The American reached another Challenger Tour final, in Drummondville, Canada, to close out the 2022 season. But things didn’t stop there.

After earning a Lucky Loser spot at the Australian Open, Mmoh defeated 12th seed Alexander Zverev en route to a third-round appearance. In the opening round, Mmoh had to dig out of a huge hole to stay alive.

“I was down two-sets-to-love, [Laurent Lokoli] was serving for the match at 5-4 in the third set. Maybe before I started exploring some of these other things, maybe I would’ve lost that match. But I tried to focus my energy on things that would actually help me win the match, like some of the books I read, and some of the people I talked to really helped me with that.

“The more time you dwell on why you’re in a certain situation or what went wrong for you to be down a set and a break, the match is over. If you shift your focus to ‘Ok, I’m down a set and a break, what am I going to do?’ You have a much higher chance of getting yourself out of that hole.”

On Monday, Mmoh entered the Top 100 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time since October 2018. After dealing with a shoulder injury that forced his career to be ‘stop-start’, reaching a career-high 83 was a welcomed sight.

Michael Mmoh in action at the 2022 Cary Challenger. Credit: Sameer Cheema

“A year ago, I dropped to like 270 and things weren’t looking good,” Mmoh said. “I was questioning a lot of things. To be at a career-high now, a lot has changed. I’m happy that I’m finally healthy for a continued period of time.”

Paying attention to the minute details has paid off the American, who was born in Saudi Arabia. While many fans only see the on-court presentation that players provide, their work behind-the-scenes is unmatched. Mmoh, who is a seven-time Challenger champion, turned a crushing US Open defeat into motivation to find solutions.

“All of [the off-court training] has a great impact on how you perform on match day,” Mmoh said. “All the exercises you do, all the conditioning you do makes a difference. Nothing guarantees success but you have to put yourself in the best position and do everything possible that will help you.”

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Djokovic To Make Biggest World No. 1 Jump In History

Novak Djokovic has made plenty of Pepperstone ATP Rankings history in the past, holding the record for weeks in top spot (373) and year-end No. 1 finishes (7). On Monday, the Serbian will rewrite the record books again.

After winning his 10th Australian Open title Sunday, Djokovic will return to World No. 1 and in doing so make the biggest jump to the top of the men's tennis mountain between two editions of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings in history (since 1973). The Serbian will climb from World No. 5 to World No. 1.

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The four-place ascent is a bigger jump than the three-spot climb previously made by Carlos Alcaraz (12 September 2022), Pete Sampras (11 September 2000), Andre Agassi (5 July 1999) and Carlos Moya (15 March 1999).

Player	Ranking Jump	Date
Novak Djokovic	No. 5-No. 1	30 January 2023
Carlos Alcaraz	No. 4-No. 1	12 September 2022
Pete Sampras	No. 4-No. 1	11 September 2000
Andre Agassi	No. 4-No. 1	5 July 1999
Carlos Moya	No. 4-No. 1	15 March 1999

If Djokovic remains World No. 1 through the week of 20 February, he will tie Stefanie Graf's record for most weeks as World No. 1 in history (men and women) at 377. If the Serbian maintains top spot through the week of 27 February, he will break Graf's mark.

The 35-year-old was not the only player who was competing for World No. 1 in the Australian Open final. Stefanos Tsitsipas had an opportunity to climb to the top spot, but fell one victory short.

The Greek will be World No. 3 on Monday, trailing Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. He will be 875 points behind Djokovic. However, after dropping 480 points in February (Rotterdam F and Acapulco SF), the 24-year-old will only drop 135 points in March (Indian Wells R32 and Miami R16), giving him an opportunity to make a move.

Did You Know?
Djokovic will begin his 374th week as World No. 1 on Monday. He has held the prestigious position for more than a year longer than any other man in history. Roger Federer is second on the list at 310 weeks.

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Djokovic Takes First Set Vs. Tsitsipas In Australian Open Final

Novak Djokovic is two sets away from a record-extending 10th Australian Open title after claiming the first set against Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 in Sunday’s championship match in Melbourne.

Djokovic came into the match with a 9-0 record in Australian Open finals and has won his past nine tour-level meetings against the 24-year-old Tsitsipas. Should he go on to complete victory on Sunday and extend his ATP Head2Head record against the Greek to 11-2, the Serbian will draw level with Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles.

Despite Tsitsipas scoring an early morale-booster by saving two break points from 15/40 to hold for 1-1, Djokovic’s typically consistent and accurate groundstrokes dominated the first set on Rod Laver Arena. He frequently piled pressure onto the Tsitsipas backhand and the Greek was unable to repeat the escape in the fourth game, when Djokovic clinched the only break of the set.

Whoever prevails in Sunday’s final will enjoy a double reward for their success in Melbourne. Both Djokovic and Tsitsipas know that victory at the first Grand Slam of the 2023 season guarantees them the No. 1 spot in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

More to follow…

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Final Preview: Djokovic, Tsitsipas Square Off For Melbourne Title, World No. 1

The Australian Open has been a home away from home for Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas throughout their respective careers. In Sunday's final, both men will chase major milestones in Rod Laver Arena, on a court that helped each rise to stardom.

In addition to the Grand Slam glory at stake — Djokovic is playing for a record-tying 22nd men's singles major title, Tsitsipas for his very first — the final will also determine the new No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. Djokovic, who has spent a record 373 weeks as World No. 1, is bidding to return to the top spot for the first time since last June. Tsitsipas, in his first Australian Open final, is chasing a historic debut at the pinnacle of the men's game, with the opportunity to become the first Greek to hold the honour.

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"These are the moments I've been working hard for. To be able to play finals like this, but finals that have bigger meaning that just a final," Tsitsipas said after his four-set semi-final win against Karen Khachanov. "It's a Grand Slam final, I'm fighting for the No. 1 spot. It's a childhood dream to be capturing the No. 1 spot one day. I'm close. I'm happy that this opportunity comes here in Australia and not somewhere else, because this is a place of significance."

With the sizable Greek and Serbian populations in Melbourne, a raucous atmosphere can be expected in the stands on Sunday. The tennis we've seen from the two competitors this season guarantees there will be fireworks on the court, too. Neither man has lost a match in 2023, with Djokovic 11-0 and Tsitsipas 10-0.

 

Djokovic played two near-perfect matches as he breezed past Alex de Minaur (fourth round) and Grigor Dimitrov (quarters), his lingering hamstring injury firmly in the rearview. He was again untouchable against Tommy Paul in the semi-finals, except for a late wobble in the opening set and a weary few moments early in the second — both of which could fuel Tsitsipas' belief heading into Sunday.

"I was really tight on the court... I was struggling also physically and emotionally," Djokovic said of the late stages in a 7-5 first set, when he surrendered a 5-1 lead before closing it out. "I guess in these kind of particular matches, at the final stages of a Slam, you can expect to have a crisis, one or two or three crises. The less the better. But I did have [one]."

Tsitsipas has also been otherworldly at times during his run, though he lost three sets to Djokovic's one in reaching the title round. Both times he was truly tested, he responded with a champion's resolve.

After Jannik Sinner flipped their fourth-round match on its head, dominating sets three and four after Tsitsipas' blistering start, the Greek leaned on a sublime serving performance to claim the final set in one of the matches of the fortnight, escaping with a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 victory. When Khachanov saved two match points in the semi-finals to force a fourth set, Tsitsipas again regrouped to seal his second Grand Slam final appearance.

The third seed now has an opportunity to avenge his defeat to Djokovic in the 2021 Roland Garros title match, when the Serbian battled back from two-sets-to-love down to lift the title. It was the first time in Djokovic's career that he managed such a comeback in a Slam final.

"I won that match, so my recollections are very positive," Djokovic said with a smile in an on-court interview following his semi-final win. "It was a really physical, mental, emotional battle. It always is with Stefanos. I respect him a lot; he has improved over the years. I actually think he is one of the most interesting guys off the court, with his interests off the court, his hair style and all. But it's all business on Sunday, for both of us. Let the better player win."

Days earlier, Djokovic momentarily forgot that the pair had met with a major title on the line. Tsitsipas, asked about that oversight in his post-semifinal presser, delivered a deadpan reply: "I don't remember, either."

Active players to reach multiple major finals
Player	Appearances
Djokovic	33
Nadal	30
Murray	11
Medvedev, Thiem, Wawrinka	4
CIlic	3
Del Potro, Ruud, Tsitsipas	2

That Roland Garros win was the fifth of what is now nine straight for Djokovic in the pair's ATP Head2Head, in which he owns a decisive 10-2 advantage. The Serbian has won both of their Grand Slam meetings (their 2020 Paris semi-final also went five sets) and all four of their contests last season, dropping just one set in four matches.

Djokovic has an equally impressive overall record dating back to his run to a fourth consecutive (and seventh overall) Wimbledon title in July. The Serbian is 37-2 since the start of the grass-court Slam, including his 11-0 mark in 2023. He has won five of a possible six tour-level titles in that span, including a record-tying sixth trophy at November's Nitto ATP Finals (matching Roger Federer) and the Adelaide International 1 crown earlier this season.

[BREAK POINT]

Tsitsipas, who lost a 6-4, 7-6(4) decision to Djokovic in Turin, is seeking his first title since his Mallorca triumph last June, just before Wimbledon. But there is no better place for him to return to the winners' circle than Rod Laver Arena, the sight of his stunning 2019 upset of Federer — a result that put the Greek on the map as a then 20-year-old rising star. 

After defeats in his first three Melbourne semi-finals against Rafael Nadal (2019) and Daniil Medvedev (2021-22), Tsitsipas has broken new ground at what he calls his 'home Slam'. Having broken through that barrier, he now faces one of tennis' toughest test as he seeks the double prize on offer in Sunday's final.

For Tsitsipas to succeed, he must deal Djokovic his first loss in an Australian Open semi-final or final. The Serbian will enter the title match with a 19-0 record in those two rounds in Melbourne, having lifted the trophy in each of his nine previous runs to the last four.

Did You Know?
The 11-year age gape between Djokovic (35) and Tsitsipas (24) is the largest in an Australian Open final in the Open Era, and the sixth largest in any major final.

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Goffin Leads Belgium’s Star-Studded Challenger

After a six-year absence from Belgium, the ATP Challenger Tour shifts its attention this week to the indoor hard court event, the BW Open. David Goffin’s misfortune at the Australian Open that led to his participation has been a massive boon to the tournament, which has been close to a sell-out in its debut year.

Tournament director Vincent Stavaux, who has worked as an agent for players such as Justine Henin, Marin Cilic, Pablo Andujar, and Kristof Vliegen, is at the forefront of Belgium’s return to the Challenger calendar. Stavaux explained that his aim is to provide a warm experience for players and fans. And the Challenger 125 event is making a strong impression.

“For me the most important thing is that we have a good hotel, good food, and a nice facility,” Stavaux said. “We try to welcome players in the best conditions. For the first edition, we have players that are saying that they’ve never seen so many people attending the first-round matches at a Challenger. We have just a few tickets left for Saturday, the rest of the days are sold out. Fans are close to the court, even in the highest places you are still very close, it makes it a really special atmosphere.”

 

The Mons, Belgium Challenger, which ended in 2016, earned back-to-back selections as one of the ATP Challengers of the Year (2015, 2016), a player-voted system that recognises the season’s top events. Now the only Belgian Challenger event lies some 60 kilometers from Mons, in Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve (population 31,000), where fans have flocked to the Centre Sportif de Blocry to watch world-class tennis.

Locals already holding red-hot tickets received a last-minute surprise just one week before the tournament: Home favourite Goffin suffered an illness in Melbourne which forced him to miss the season’s first Slam. The World No. 50 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings was given a wild card to come home and play the Belgian Challenger.

“Unfortunately, David got food poisoning in Australia. For us, it has been an incredible use to have him here,” Stavaux said. “That’s what we say in life, ‘The bad news for some is good news for others.’ We were really sorry for David, but for us, ever since he said, ‘I’m coming!’ the website and tickets exploded.”

The calm before the storm: practice session ahead of the 2023 BW Open. Credit: Wild Shot Production

Saturday’s semi-final tickets may not be available much longer. Goffin, seeded first, is set to compete in the final four against countryman Gauthier Onclin. Goffin’s last Challenger title before rising to a career-high No. 7 in 2017 came three years prior on home soil (Mons 2014). The seven-time Challenger champion hopes to repeat the same result this weekend.

The star-studded field didn’t end at Goffin’s presence. Fresh off a third round appearance at the Australian Open, Frenchman Ugo Humbert flew directly to Belgium and kept his commitment to play the BW Open. World No. 69 Mikael Ymer advanced through qualifying and is set to play in Saturday’s semi-final against Turkey’s Altug Celikbilek.

Belgian fans can also get a glimpse of the sport’s brightest future stars who are using the Challenger Tour as a springboard before competing for the most prestigious titles in tennis. Perhaps no example is better than the previous time Belgium held a Challenger.

“Someone who doesn’t know the Tour well doesn’t know that the Challengers have a nice combination and balance of Next Gen players and guys with a lot of experience who have been in the Top 100,” Stavaux said. “In 2016, Andrey Rublev made the quarter-finals in Mons and Daniil Medvedev was a semi-finalist. That’s the proof that at Challengers you can see the next generation of the top ATP players.”

So which Challenger Tour youngster will next rise to a standout professional career? Only time will tell.

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The tragic story behind Australian Open women's trophy being named after Daphne Akhurst

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Novak Djokovic has two sneaky Stefanos Tsitsipas tactics to look out for in Aus Open final

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Coco Gauff comes out swinging after helping Aus Open billionaire add £60k to her net worth

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Tsitsipas Shows Resolve To Reach First Melbourne Final, World No. 1 Within Grasp

Stefanos Tsitsipas will play for his first Grand Slam title and the No. 1 Pepperstone ATP Ranking after he booked his place in the Australian Open final with a gritty win against Karen Khachanov. In a 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 semi-final victory on Friday, the Greek dominated with his all-action game, keeping his opponent under constant pressure in the three-hour, 21-minute match.

What looked on course to be his fifth straight-sets win of the fortnight was complicated by a late Khachanov surge. The first-time Melbourne semi-finalist denied Tsitsipas' attempt to serve out the match at 5-4 in the third set, and in the tie-break he saved two match points with fearless forehand winners, sparking a run of four points to steal the set.

But as he did after failing to serve out the opening set, the Greek responded, seeing home a 3-0 lead in the final set to advance.

"I thought about how hard I've worked to get into this position, and it takes a little bit more," Tsitsipas said of his mentality entering the fourth set. "I wasn't able to deliver that in the third set; I was extremely close to getting it.

"It's one of these moments that if you stick around, if you dedicate yourself even more and if you concentrate on these important moments even more, it pays off quite well. And always having that ambience in the background somewhere feels so good when I'm able to hit the ball and get such a reward back from the fans."

[ATP APP]

The third seed awaits nine-time champion Novak Djokovic or unseeded American Tommy Paul in Sunday's title match. If it is the Serbian across the net, the pair will contest a straight shootout for World No. 1 in a rematch of the 2021 Roland Garros final, won by Djokovic in five sets.

"These are the moments I've been working hard for. To be able to play finals like this, but finals that have bigger meaning that just a final," he said in his on-court interview. "It's a Grand Slam final, I'm fighting for the No. 1 spot. It's a childhood dream to be capturing the No. 1 spot one day. I'm close. I'm happy that this opportunity comes here in Australia and not somewhere else, because this is a place of significance.

"Let's do it guys!" he continued, addressing the Rod Laver Arena crowd that has helped fuel his run. "Let's go!"

[BREAK POINT]

As he has done all tournament, Tsitsipas built his success on big serves and punishing forehands, with a big assist from his defence and mental fortitude. The 24-year-old continued to crush his forehand with perhaps more conviction that at any point in his career, dictating points off that wing at every opportunity.

Tsitsipas overcame adversity in the first set, in which he twice led by a break only for Khachanov to immediately level on both occasions. Despite being called for multiple time violations and a foot fault as the set built toward a tie-break, Tsitsipas regrouped and was the steadier player at the crucial moments, taking control of the match with a one-sided finish to the set.

The third seed faced just one break point in the final three sets — the crucial moment when Khachanov broke from 30/15 as Tsitsipas tightened in his effort to serve out the match.

Late in set two, Tsitsipas used the point of the match to bring up 15/40 in the ninth game, retrieving three consecutive Khachanov overheads before claiming a 22-ball rally with a forehand winner. He went on to seal the break and serve out the set to love.

"The most extraordinary point" 🫠@steftsitsipas digs deep and finds a way to win the rally 👏 @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AO2023 • #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/43Q9aEmlQ7

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2023

Tsitsipas did his damage early in set three, breaking in its third game, but he could not extend his lead despite forcing deuce in his next two return games. That came back to haunt him as Khachanov extended the match, but the Greek made no mistake the fourth set, clinching victory on his fourth match point.

After extending his perfect ATP Head2Head record to 6-0 against Khachanov, the Greek is through to his second Grand Slam final and his first in Melbourne after three previous semi-final defeats at what he calls his 'home Slam'.

Khachanov was bidding to reach his first Grand Slam final in what was his 24th major appearance. The 26-year-old reached the semi-finals at consecutive majors after advancing to that stage of a Slam for the first time at the 2022 US Open. Behind his Melbourne run, Khachanov moved up seven places this fortnight to No. 13 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.

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Novak Djokovic's dad breaks silence after being caught in pro-Russia video at Aus Open

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With New Mindset, Khachanov Has Sights Set On A Slam Title

Last September, all eyes were on Carlos Alcaraz in New York as he hoisted the US Open trophy to the sky. Elsewhere, Karen Khachanov was taking in a moment that could well have belonged to him. In this relentless sport, where everything happens at breakneck speed, achievements are sometimes quickly forgotten or undervalued. But Khachanov was just two sets away from contesting his first major final that fortnight.

That same player now wears a broad grin on his face as he strolls through the corridors of Melbourne Park, where another chance at history has come knocking. The towering, 6-foot-6 player has deployed his furious style of tennis with undeniable confidence under the Australian sun to reach a second straight semi-final at a Grand Slam.

[ATP APP]

The sweet moment in the career of the World No. 20 has come in the company of Jose Manuel ‘Pepo’ Clavet, one of the most renowned coaches in Spanish tennis. With over 30 years of experience fine-tuning the talent on Tour, names such as Feliciano Lóopez, Alex Corretja and Carlos Moya have all spent time under his watchful eye.

The Madrid native has been in Khachanov's corner since 2020. His student is on a promising trajectory and is now set to do something big at the Australian Open. Since teaming up, they have made the second week of every Grand Slam at least once — a trait of a truly elite player. They won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics and have set themselves one clear goal: to take Khachanov back into the Top 10, where he has not been for more than three years.

“The key to being in the semi-finals of consecutive Grand Slams has been confidence,” explains Clavet from Melbourne. “It’s very important for all players, but in such a temperamental player like Karen, with ups and downs, it’s key. Now, he’s on a high and he’s a very dangerous player. The US Open semi-final gave him a lot of confidence. Now, he’s back to his best in Australia. We’ll see if he continues to play as he has so far on Friday to book a place in the final on Sunday. Why not?”

Since joining forces with Clavet, Khachanov has made psychology a priority. The former World No. 8 has given his thoughts a central place in his preparations, working closely with a sports psychologist. His coach, with whom he started work at 24 years of age, has also attended some of these sessions in order to understand how to break through some of his understudy’s self-imposed barriers to progression.

His performances in Melbourne leave no room for doubt: Khachanov has kept his head in his five outings, demonstrating his increasing mental toughness. The 26-year-old has played his best tennis at key moments in Australia, where he has won all four tie-breaks he's played. Nobody has managed to take him to five sets; the only other player who can lay claim to that is Novak Djokovic.

“We’re working on the consistency of his game. We want it to be more constant throughout the year,” explains Clavet. “He has played well in certain tournaments for some time, reaching the quarters at Wimbledon, silver medal at the Olympics... but to reach the top of the [Pepperstone ATP Rankings] you need to play very well for many weeks of the year. We’re trying to instill that consistency in him. Also, we’re working a lot on improving his net game. Given the power he has from the baseline, we’d like him to be able to finish more points off at the net.”

While they go about adding extra weapons to Karen’s game, Clavet speaks of Khachanov’s joy in their work, as he attempts to guide this extrovert character to greater success. The Spanish coach’s easy-going nature is one of his biggest selling points and he is confident they have found the balance Khachanov has been searching for throughout his career. With peace of mind, the limit for his hard-working student is very high indeed.

“He has the ability to do anything,” Clavet notes. “He is very aggressive from the baseline, he serves very well. For his height he has great mobility. The net is the part he still has to improve, but it’s not that he’s bad there. What makes me proudest is how complete his game is.

“And of course, he dreams of lifting a Grand Slam. Players are like that, in a way they have the right to hope they’ll do it. Karen has been in the quarters at Wimbledon and Roland Garros, he’s reached the semis at the US Open and now the Australian Open. He is two matches away. Why not? He’s won five and there are two left. You always have to think positive. He is doing that now and I’m sure he dreams of it.”

To break through that wall, he will have to overcome a personal challenge. In the semi-finals on Friday he will meet Stefanos Tsitsipas, a player bidding to become World No. 1 at the end of the tournament. The Greek, who leads their ATP Head2Head 5-0, is the embodiment of the consistency Khachanov aspires to — a perfect mirror on the big stage.

“The match against Tsitsipas will be difficult,” warns Clavet. “In a Grand Slam semi-final, all players are difficult. He’s never beaten him, but he’s been close several times. I believe in Karen, when he has that confidence, he’s a very dangerous player who can beat anyone. I believe in his chances on Friday.”

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Dan Evans' brutal Davis Cup comments addressed by captain Leon Smith ahead of next tie

Dan Evans previously threatened to quit the Davis Cup team after being snubbed from doubles.

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SF Preview: Can Tsitsipas Break New Ground At 'Home Slam'?

Stefanos Tsitsipas finds himself in the Australian Open semi-finals for the fourth time, with a golden opportunity against Olympic silver medalist Karen Khachanov on Friday. While the Greek has thrived in Melbourne throughout his career, Khachanov had not been beyond the third round Down Under until this year.

With the large Greek population in Melbourne and its similar climate to his native Athens, Tsitsipas has called the Australian Open his "home Slam". He has been a second-week regular at the event since his breakout run in 2019, but has never been able to reach the title round, falling one match short against Rafael Nadal in '19 and Daniil Medvedev each of the past two years.

[ATP APP]

But the 24-year-old's play this fortnight, during which he has won four of his five matches in straight sets, makes him a hot favourite to rectify that against Khachanov. He'll be further fuelled by his 5-0 ATP Head2Head record against the 18th seed, their most recent meeting last season in Rome.

Asked if this could be the year for his Grand Slam trophy breakthrough, Tsitsipas' reply was brimming with confidence — much like his game.

"I'm feeling great with my tennis," said the World No. 4, who would claim the top spot in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings with the AO title. "I don't think I felt so good in a long time. I will definitely say yes to it.

"I'm a different player, playing different. My mentality is different. When I'm out on the court, I don't really think of negatives, to be honest. I just go out there and play the game."

 

Khachanov has also spoken of a recent transformation in his game. After reaching the US Open semis last season, the 18th seed has matched his best Grand Slam result in Melbourne.

"I think I kind of reinvented myself," he said, three-and-a-half years after reaching a career-high Pepperstone ATP Ranking of No. 8 in 2019. "I always believe in myself but there are always ups and downs, and sometimes when you have a great result it just shows you what you are capable of and then you start to believe more and more.

"This belief and self-confidence I think appeared much stronger after the US Open. I made a few semi-finals already so I hope to continue that way and to grow as a person and as a sportsman."

By reaching the quarter-finals this week, Khachanov became the 10th active male player and the 50th in the Open Era to reach that stage at all four Grand Slams. But the 26-year-old was far from satisfied, taking the initiative against Sebastian Korda on Tuesday before the American retired with Khachanov leading 7-6(5), 6-3, 3-0. Korda was the third seeded player dismissed by Khachanov this week, after his earlier wins against 16th seed Frances Tiafoe and 31st seed Yoshihito Nishioka. 

Tsitsipas faced only one seed on his way to the semis, when he survived a furious comeback from 15th seed Jannik Sinner in a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 fourth-round win. He backed that up with a 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-4 triumph against 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up Jiri Lehecka in a match Tsitsipas said felt much tighter than the scoreline indicated. The Greek saved all eight break points against him, with those chances coming in two games, including a 0/40 escape late in set three to deny Lehecka the opportunity to serve for the set.

After the tension dissipated, Tsitsipas was all smiles in his on-court interview as he continued his new tradition of dropping some Aussie slang into his replies: "I can say it was a fair dinkum type of performance," he told the Rod Laver Arena crowd, before inviting Australian actress Margot Robbie to his player box for the final rounds.

He'll be hoping to play another "ripper" in the semis.

"It's a match that I'm looking forward to," he later added in press. "It's great to be back in the semi-finals. Of course, I'm definitely happy with the way I've been playing so far. I'm looking ahead for more, for better. Looking to create some magical experiences here in Australia."

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Australian Open: Z t-shirts explained as police crack down on wave of pro-Russia displays

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Hijikata/Kubler Stun Koolhof/Skupski For SF Spot

Could local support power another title run for a home pairing this year in the Australian Open doubles?

Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler eased to a remarkable victory Wednesday at the hard-court Grand Slam in Melbourne, where the wild cards brushed past top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski to reach the semi-finals. In doing so, the Australian duo stayed on track to emulate their countrymen Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios’ 2022 triumph at Melbourne Park.

The home favourites broke serve in the opening game of the quarter-final clash and barely looked back thereafter en route to a 66-minute triumph on Margaret Court Arena. Hijikata and Kubler did not face a break point in the match and converted four from 10 break chances of their own against a team who won seven ATP Tour titles in 2022.

[ATP APP]

Hijikata and Kubler's semi-final opponents will be eighth seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos, who defeated Andreas Mies and John Peers 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-2. The Spanish-Argentine pair is through to the Melbourne semi-finals for the second straight year after dismissing the 14th-seeded pair that joined forces at the start of 2023.

Granollers/Zeballos saved the only three break points they faced, escaping 0/40 at 5-6 in the second set, but could not carry that momentum into the tie-break. The pair quickly regrouped to take a 3-0 lead in the deciding set, closing out the victory with their third break of the two-hour, 24-minute match.

Consistent partners since 2019, Granollers/Zeballos also reached the Roland Garros semi-finals last season before winning their seventh tour-level title together in Halle. Both men are seeking their first Grand Slam title; they have played in two major finals as a team, at the 2019 US Open and 2021 Wimbledon.

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ITF responds to calls to 'punish' Russian tennis star for Australian Open messages

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Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas receive Alcaraz message amid bid to snatch No 1 spot

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Paul Denies Shelton Comeback To Win All-American QF

In a Wednesday meeting of first-time Grand Slam quarter-finalists, Tommy Paul used his experience and consistency to ground the electric attack of Ben Shelton at the Australian Open.

A 7-6(6), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 winner in Rod Laver Arena, Paul controlled much of the match with his aggressive yet steady baseline game. A late Shelton surge forced a fourth set, but Paul produced an instant response to end his 20-year-old opponent's tournament debut.

"Making it to the second weekend of a Slam, that's everyones dream when they start playing tennis," Paul said after advancing to his first major semi-final. "So I can't believe I'm here right now."

After three Americans reached the Melbourne quarter-finals for the first time since 2000, Paul is the first man from the U.S. to reach the semis since Andy Roddick in 2009 and the third active American to advance to the last four of a Grand Slam (John Isner, Frances Tiafoe). The matchup between Paul and Shelton was the first all-American major quarter-final since the 2007 Australian Open.

[ATP APP]

The World No. 35 Paul was just as attack-minded as his explosive opponent, with both men lethal on serve and early in rallies for much of the three-hour, six-minute match. But Paul was a class above in the longer exchanges, hitting 43 winners to 26 unforced errors in what was a Laver debut for both competitors.

Though Shelton's lefty serves were whipped in with greater pace than his opponent's, Paul was more effective at backing up his deliveries on the ground, winning 86 per cent of his first-serve points to Shelton's 76 per cent — despite the younger American's 24 aces.

"I'm really happy to get through that match," Paul added in his on-court interview. "There wasn't too much rhythm in the match, but Ben's a very tough player to play against and he's going to be in many more matches like this, so I think everyone should be really excited for that kid."

At the close of a high-quality opening set that saw just one break point — saved by Shelton at 1-1 — a single, late mini-break decided the tie-break as Paul locked down from the baseline to win two extended rallies from 6/6.

High calibre tennis from these two 🇺🇸@TommyPaul1 • @wwos • @espn • @Eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/7ptSUbw4eP

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2023

The 25-year-old's pressure on return told in set two, as he converted on his fourth break chance of the match to lead 4-2 — but only after escaping 15/40 when Shelton created his first two break chances of the match. Paul was on the brink of a straight-sets win, up a break at 4-3 in the third, until Shelton summoned a second wind to extend the match, much to the delight of the Laver crowd.

There would be no comeback in set four, as Paul dominated on serve after securing an immediate break, his third of the match. He won all 17 of his first-serve points in the final set and lost just three points on second serve.

Paul has moved up 16 spots to No. 19 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings this week, setting himself up to break into the Top 20 for the first time. He would reach the Top 10 if he can win his maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne, with Novak Djokovic or Andrey Rublev up next as his semi-final opponent.

"I was doing a couple of interviews and they were asking how it sounds to be in the quarter-finals," Paul said. "And I was like, 'Semi-finals sounds a little better.' I'm pumped to be there and obviously really excited for whoever I play on Friday."

By advancing to the quarters in his Australian Open debut, Shelton rocketed 46 places up the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings to No. 43. He will be one of 10 Americans in the Top 50 next Monday.

The former Florida Gator was bidding to become the fourth man in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals in his second Grand Slam appearance. The Atlanta native was also seeking to become the youngest Australian Open semi-finalist since 1992.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

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Australian Open LIVE: Djokovic ‘one step away’ from withdrawing as Russian row kicks off

Express Sport provides live updates from the Australian Open as the semi-finals take shape.

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Australian Open star Ben Shelton has Roger Federer links and copied Swiss' insane shot

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Chardy/Martin Seal SF Spot At Australian Open

Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin reached their first Grand Slam semi-final as a team Tuesday when they upset third seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Jean-Julien Rojer 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(4) at the Australian Open.

The Frenchmen had not dropped a set en route to the quarter-finals and played with confidence against the 2022 Roland Garros champions, firing in the big moments as they converted three of their four break point chances to advance after one hour and 58 minutes.

Chardy and Martin are making their fourth appearance as a team in Melbourne, with their best result before this year being a third-round run in 2018.

[ATP APP]

Their semi-final opponents will be Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski, who defeated Frenchmen Benjamin Bonzi and Arthur Rinderknech 6-1, 6-4 earlier on Tuesday.

The Monegasque-Polish pairing used an early break to command both sets, and they maintained their advantage by saving all three break points against them.

It was the first straight-sets victory of the tournament for Nys and Zielinksi, who battled back from a set down to win each of their first three matches. The team has knocked off two seeds on the way to the semis, including second seeds Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury in the third round.

The remaining two doubles quarter-finals are set for Wednesday in Melbourne. Top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski will face Aussie wild cards Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kabler, while eight seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos meet 14th seeds Andreas Mies and John Peers.

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Nick Kyrgios' long-time foe sends Aussie surprising message following injury surgery

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Australian Open urged to take 'harsh measures' over Russian star's camera message

Karen Khachanov is through to the semi-final of the Australian Open.

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Jessica Pegula on verge of Australian Open history days after billionaire father's setback

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Australian Open sees first retirement of the tournament as Seb Korda struck down by injury

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Khachanov Seals SF Progess After Late Korda Retirement

Karen Khachanov advanced to his second consecutive Grand Slam semi-final on Tuesday night after Sebastian Korda retired in the third set with a right wrist injury. The 18th seed was leading 7-6(5), 6-3, 3-0 after winning seven straight games following a medical timeout for the American midway through set two.

Khachanov won a hard-fought opening set, regrouping with a strong tie-break after failing to serve it out at 5-4. He then saw three break points go begging early in the second set as he stayed on top with his consistent baseline game.

[ATP APP]

Korda received a medical timeout for treatment on his wrist at 3-2 in the second set, but struggled to control his forehand once he returned to the court as Khachanov quickly extended his lead.

Khachanov will face Stefanos Tsitsipas or Jiri Lehecka in the semi-finals, with that quarter-final set for Tuesday evening in Rod Laver Arena.

More to follow...

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Novak Djokovic's ex-coach explains Sebi Korda partnership that was 20 years in the making

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ATP Tennis Podcast: Craybas Talks American Success At Australian Open

This week on the ATP Tennis Podcast...

JILL CRAYBAS ON A GREAT FIRST WEEK FOR THE AMERICANS – “I think there’s been a United Cup effect, in that it’s rubbed off into the first week of the Open. If you just see the way they are all acting together and how they gelled as a group, it got them all into a headspace where they had that confidence, and I know I’m leaving a lot of Americans out like JJ Wolf and Tommy Paul. I mean, it’s just been phenomenal.”

JILL CRAYBAS ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE MEN’S GAME – “We’ve seen it with the women, how anyone can win it, and I feel like that’s starting to happen with the men. You’re seeing so many different guys play so well and get upsets, and different names pushing further in Slams which we see in the women’s quite a bit. So, I’m excited about both Tours right now.”

YOSHIHITO NISHIOKA ON THE ADVICE HIS MUM GAVE HIM – “A couple of years ago my mum told me that I shouldn’t expect to win all matches, but that I can win some matches and have a good time. So now I don’t think too much about winning or losing but instead just play and focus, and then maybe I can have a chance to win. So right now, I’m just trying to play my best tennis and if that doesn’t work, I’ll just try the next week.”

ROBERT LINDSTEDT ON WINNING THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN DOUBLES – “Winning the Australian Open was just relief for me because I had so many opportunities in Wimbledon the year before. So, It was just a relief of not losing another one, but actually winning was unbelievable and we really enjoyed it late into the night and the next morning.”

ROBERT LINDSTEDT ON HOW THE DOUBLES GAME CAN GROW – “It’s been strong for a very long time. It’s got so much more athletic and physical, you can’t really be lazy anymore. Everybody is training like a singles player, if I can use that term, but what we can do more is actually getting the opportunity to showcase the sport, to show we’re entertaining and that it’s a beautiful sport.”

- Podcast presented by Chris Bowers
- Podcast guests - AO Radio commentator Peter Marcato & former WTA player Jill Craybas

- Interviews by Jill Craybas

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