Australian Open: Federer Out, Djokovic, Williams & Nadal Remain

With the Australian Open final closing in we’re being treated to some A+ performances from some familiar faces and some new ones.

In a match pitting the oldest and youngest players left in the men’s draw, the 20-year-old Tsitsipas overhauled Federer 6-7 (11-13), 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) under the lights of Rod Laver Arena.

Tsitsipas was overwhelmed in his post match interview.

“I’m the happiest man on Earth right now,” Tsitsipas said in his courtside interview.

“I cannot describe it.”

The Greek star explained that Federer was an idol whilst growing up.

“Roger is a legend of our sport. So much respect for him,” he said.

“I have been analysing him since the age of six. It was a dream come true for me just being on Rod Laver [Arena], facing him.

“And winning at the end, there is no way I cannot describe it.”

Federer was impressed with Tsitsipas’s maturity to handle the pressure of playing on the big stage.

“I lost to a better player who was playing very well tonight,” he said.

“I hung in there, gave himself chances at some point, stayed calm. It’s not always easy, especially for younger guys.

“Credit to him for taking care of that.”

John McEnroe’s post match comments seemed to fire up the swiss legend.

The tennis great’s declaration we were “watching the changing of the guard” as Greek youngster Stefanos Tsitsipas eliminated Federer from the Australian Open on Sunday night was met with a stern response from Federer.

“Yeah, sure,” Federer said at his press conference, when asked about McEnroe’s assertion during an on-court interview with Tsitsipas.

“He’s in front of the mic a lot. He’s always going to say stuff. I love John (but) I’ve heard that story the last 10 years. From that standpoint, nothing new there.”

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Federer was full of praise for Tsitsipas and described his game as “next level”

“I think he’s definitely done a really nice job now the last year and a half,” Federer said.

“I mean before that, too, obviously. But beating Novak (Djokovic) in Toronto, the likes of (Kevin) Anderson and (Sascha) Zverev, now me here. That’s what you need to do to get to the next level. He’s doing that. It’s really nice for him.

“I see him definitely being high up in the game for a long time. That was a good night for him tonight.”

Djokovic Survives A Scare From Medvedev

World No.1 Novak Djokovic has survived a taxing fourth-round clash with rising star Daniil Medvedev to edge closer to a seventh Australian Open title.

Djokovic, already up a set, had a break point on Medvedev’s serve to go to a 5-1 lead. He only had to hold serve to take a lead of two sets to love.

The No. 1 seed lost the point and could not resist the emerging 22-year-old Russian, who rallied to take the set in a tie break. It was only the second set Djokovic has lost in the tournament.

Djokovic lifted in the remaining two sets to defeat his 22-year-old opponent and claim a hard-fought 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-3 victory in three hours and 15 minutes.

The 31-year-old did nothing to quash rumours that he may be carrying an injury in his post-match interview with Jim Courier, jokingly suggesting that he was at 100 percent health.

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“Since I guess my next opponent is watching, I’m feeling fantastic. I’ve never felt fresher in my life,” Djokovic said.

The world number 1 will face Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals and is on course for a potential championship showdown with longtime rival Rafael Nadal.

Serena Williams Overpowers A Brave Halep

Serena Williams defeated World No. 1 Simona Halep in a three-set thriller to advance to the quarter-finals.

The 23-time major champion had to call on all of her power and experience to hold off the brave Romanian 6-1 4-6 6-4.

“It was a really intense match, and there were some incredible points,” Williams reflected.

“I’m such a fighter, I just never give up … it’s definitely something that’s innate. I just work so hard for every point. And I just feel like it’s a miracle that I’m here, I get to do something that I enjoy.

“I love playing tennis and I love being here and I love this court, and it’s really cool to be back out and playing again on this court.

“I think overall I’m hanging in there. I think overall I’m solid. I can definitely go to a new level. I have to if I want to stay in the tournament.”

She will next face Karolina Pliskova – a rematch of their 2018 US Open quarterfinal, which Williams won – for a place in the last four.

Nadal Set To Face Frances Tiafoe

He may be a deserved $1.05 favourite to advance to the Semi-Finals of the Australian Open but Nadal is not taking any game lightly.

“I always say the same when I am back from injury. I don’t expect negative or positive things,” he told Channel Nine.

“I know — when you are back you need a bit of luck at the beginning because it’s important the first couple of matches.

“That happened after I won the first couple of matches [now] I’m in the quarter-final. So let’s see what can happen now.”

“He [Tiafoe] is playing great. He won [a] couple of great matches during the tournament,” Nadal said.

“He’s super quick and he’s able to change directions fast.

“He goes to the net fast. He has huge forehand, good serve. So let’s see.

“[It] always is special when you meet the opponent for the first time. And as always, in quarter-finals there is only one way [to win], is play very well.”

RAFAEL NADAL (ESP) v FRANCES TIAFOE (USA) – Tuesday 22nd January 8:15pm (AEST)