‘Greek god’ Stefanos Tsitsipas bows out of the Australian Open in clash marred by ‘vile’ crowd and ugly on-court meltdown – leaving Russell Crowe and other famous fans crushed
- ‘Greek god’ Stefanos Tsitsipas was sent packing from the Australian Open
- He was outclassed by Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev, who was clinical
- Match was marred by a hostile crowd and Tsitsipas tantrum in second set
- Medvedev will now play world number one Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final
The impressive run of ‘Greek god’ Stefanos Tsitsipas came to a shuddering halt at the Australian Open on Friday night – in a match marred by a hostile crowd and an ugly on-court meltdown from the heart-throb.
Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev was in complete control at Melbourne Park, outclassing the crowd favourite in straight sets in their semi-final, 6-4 6-2 7-5.
There was no doubt who the spectators in Rod Laver Arena wanted to win, but the antagonistic Medvedev silenced the passionate Greek legion of fans, producing a sublime on court effort.
Fifth seed Tsitsipas, who stunned Rafael Nadal in five epic sets on Wednesday night, had no answers at times, with Medvedev to now play eight-time winner and world number one Novak Djokovic in the final on Sunday night.
Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas (pictured above) throws the water bottle on the court between games in the second set against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev on Friday
Fans show their support of Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in his Men’s Singles Semifinals match against Daniil Medvedev of Russia
In disappointing scenes, chair umpire James Keothavong scolded the pro-Greek crowd for booing Russian Medvedev, who wasn’t the slightest bit concerned at being painted the villain by many.
Tsitispas was given a verbal warning after throwing his water bottle on the ground at the change of ends early in the second set, with water then spraying all over the court.
A bold Medvedev questioned why his fired-up opponent wasn’t issued a harsher penalty, which infuriated many in the stands.
He then went a step further, informing Keothavong that Tsitsipas’ father was ‘talking way too much’ in the players box.
Tsitsipas briefly rallied in the third set, only to see the Russian go to another gear when it mattered to book his spot in the final.
His ridiculous passing shot to go up 6-5 before serving out the contest will be hard to beat for the shot of the tournament.
Plenty of respected tennis identities lauded the scintillating performance from Medvedev, who was simply next level at times.
Hollywood actor Russell Crowe is tipping Tsitsipas to ‘be there one day if he chooses to be’
Daniil Medvedev of Russia (pictured above) was in sublime touch against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece
British tennis reporter George Bellshaw tweeted that Medvedev was in ‘frightening’ form as he dominated from the outset.
‘Gloriously brutal beatdown … just mentally breaking Tsitsipas,’ Bellshaw wrote during the second set.
Hollywood actor Russell Crowe tweeted his support for Tsitsipas, stating he ‘will be there one day if he chooses to be.’
Speaking post-match, Medvedev said all the pressure is on Serbian maestro Djokovic this Sunday.
‘He’s never lost in eight times in the final here. It’s him who has all the pressure, ‘he said.
‘He has, for sure, more experience, but more to lose than me. ‘So I just hope I’m going to get out there and show my best tennis. I can beat some big names.’
Daniil Medvedev of Russia (pictured above right) is congratulated by Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece after their semi-final on Friday
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