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Stefanos Tsitsipas shockingly knocks off Roger Federer in Australian Open

Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates after defeating Switzerland’s Roger Federer in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates after defeating Switzerland’s Roger Federer in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

At only 20 years old, Stefanos Tsitsipas already pulled off a major feat in his young tennis career: knocking off Roger Federer in four sets in the Australian Open. Stefanos’ 6-7 (11), 7-6 (3), 7-5, 7-6 (5) win made him the first player from Greece to reach a major quarterfinal.

Last year, Tsitsipas lost his opening match in the Australian Open, while Federer collected his sixth Australian Open crown and 20th Grand Slam title. But the tables certainly turned this year. During this matchup, the 37-year-old Federer failed to score any of his 12 break points. He told ESPN he has “massive regrets.”

But Tsitsipas has so much respect for the legendary tennis player.

“Roger is a legend of our sport. So much respect for him. He showed such good tennis over the years. I’ve been idolizing him since the age of 6,” Tsitsipas said. “It was a dream come true for me … just facing him. Winning at the end? I cannot describe it, you know.”

Even though Federer lost, he made a joke after the game. When a reporter asked him if Tsitsipas reminded him of a younger version of himself, Federer said this: “He has a one-handed backhand. And I used to have long hair, too.”

But Federer sees Tsitsipas “being high up in the game for a long time.” Now, Tsitsipas will collide with Roberto Bautista Agut.

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