By Chris Oddo | Monday January 14, 2019
Photo Credit: Mark Peterson / Corleve
Put it in the books.
No.14-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas became the first Greek male to ever win a main draw match at the Australian Open with a 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(4) victory over Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in front of a rowdy crowd on Court No.3.
The 20-year-old, who won his first main draw match at a major during his breakout 2018 season, and later became the first Greek male to reach the second week at Wimbledon, will look forward to a second-round matchup with either Viktor Troicki or Roberto Carballes Baena.
Tsitsipas overcame an early deficit and finished with 15 aces and 40 winners. He saved the only two break points he faced in the fifth game of the fourth set and broke three times over the course of the two hour and 57-minute contest.
With zero points to defend in Melbourne, Tsitsipas could rise a bit in the rankings. And if he were to become the first Greek male to reach the second week of the Australian Open, he could have a meeting with Roger Federer.
The ATP’s Most Improved Player in 2018 improves to 6-6 lifetime at the majors and 47-38 lifetime on the tour. The Greek does not turn 21 until August 12, but he continues to prove that he’s more than capable of winning against the big boys on the biggest of stages.