Melbourne (AFP)
Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6th in the world and semi-finalist in 2019, lost Friday in the 3rd round of the Australian Open to Milos Raonic (35th) 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), explaining that he found himself "a little stupid" when faced with the Canadian's services.
The 21-year-old Greek, winner of the Masters in London at the end of last year, had benefited from the package of the German Philipp Kohlschreiber (79th) to join directly the third round after his inaugural success against the Italian Salvatore Caruso (95th) .
Author of 19 aces and 55 winning streaks, Raonic gave Tsitsipas no chance whatsoever during the match.
"It's difficult. He plays a forehand from all four corners of the court and you really don't know where to place yourself. He's so fast that he revolves around his forehand and his service is one of the best of the circuit, "conceded the Greek, adding that he had felt" a little stupid while returning his services ".
"I was slow, I had no anticipation," he said.
Leader of the new generation called to succeed Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas has been ambitious and already looking to the future despite this defeat.
"This is life. I learned to live with it. Last year I couldn't do it. I was devastated after my defeat in the semi-finals. This year is different, I'm just going to move on . I will win next year, it does not matter! ", He relativized with a smile.
Milos Raonic, former world N.3 in 2016, the year of his semi-final of the Australian Open and his final at Wimbledon, will face the Croatian Marin Cilic (39th) in the round of 16.
© 2020 AFP