Absorbing 19 aces from Milos Raonic left Stefanos Tsitsipas feeling both punch drunk—and defiant—in his third-round Australian Open exit.

Raonic rocketed 19 aces and did not face a break point knocking out 2019 semifinalist Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-4, 7-6(2).

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Tsitsipas summed up the bruising experience as "getting punched in the face with one shot." 

"It's one shot that you can get knocked down all the time, and you're just there, getting punched in the face with one shot," Tsitsipas said. "You can't do much, which in that case is the serve, serving aces T wide, on the line, so precise, so accurate, which obviously is a skill. I'm not saying it's luck. It's a skill. And the person deserves to win those points." 

He added: "I felt a bit stupid returning his serves. I felt like I was slow. My anticipation was not there. Just, you know, it's a strange game of tennis in general."

While the Canadian charged into the fourth round for the fifth time in the last six years, a philosophical Tsitsipas said he'll be back to win the AO next year. 

"You know, that's life," Tsitsipas said. "I have learned to deal with it. Last year I wasn't able to deal with it. I was heartbroken after my semifinal loss. This year is different. I'll just keep going. I don't know. We'll win it next year. That's fine."

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve