Roger Federer was down and out as Stefanos Tsitsipas knocked out the six-time winner in four sets on Sunday. Photo: Getty
Six-time Australian Open men’s champion Roger Federer has been bundled out after Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas outlasted the Swiss master in four sets on Sunday night.
The 37-year-old Federer, who reigned supreme in Melbourne in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017 and 2018, was bundled out after winning only one of the three tiebreakers on Rod Laver Arena.
After winning the first-set tiebreak 13-11, Federer was forced to play second fiddle to Tsitsipas in the big moments of the fourth-round encounter to lose 6-7 (13-11) 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-6 (7-5).
Yes, you @StefTsitsipas!
You're into the #AusOpen quarterfinals 👏 pic.twitter.com/n9FJwedn0O
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2019
The 20-year-old Tsitsipas, who is seeded 14th, forced upon Federer his earliest exit from the Australian Open since 2015.
Federer, who has won 20 grand slam singles titles and an Olympic doubles gold medal among his many achievements, was chasing a third-straight title in Melbourne.
When interviewed by John McEnroe after the match, the Greek sensation said he was “the happiest man on Earth right now”.
"I'm the happiest man on earth right now."@StefTsitsipas #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/yakpYsfQAX
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2019
Earlier, Federer’s arch rival Rafael Nadal advanced by beating Tomas Berdych 6-0 6-1 7-6 (7-4).
More to come