"As a child, I saw Marcos Baghdatis play in the final here and I thought to myself that I too would like to play on these courts one day. So it brings back childhood memories," savored the Greek from 24 years old by evoking the 2006 final lost by the Cypriot player against Roger Federer.

Tsitsipas will face Sunday in the final Novak Djokovic (5th), in search of a 22nd Grand Slam title or the unexpected American Tommy Paul (35th).

"I feel blessed to play at this level. I've been working for this for years," Tsitsipas said.

He had already played the semi-finals in Melbourne three times (2019, 2021, 2022) but never made the leap.

Last year, Tsitsipas was beaten in the semi-finals by Daniil Medvedev.

This year he becomes the youngest finalist in Melbourne since Novak Djokovic in 2011.

A title on Sunday would also allow him to become world No.1.

"I like that number!" he said, "It's those moments that I work a lot for. There's more than a victory in those big games. And I'm happy that this chance will come. present here" in Melbourne in front of a huge Greek community that loudly supports him.

Djokovic can also become N.1 again, on the same condition of winning the title.

If neither of them wins, the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz will remain at the top of the hierarchy where he took his place by winning the US Open in September, becoming the youngest N.1 in history.

Tsitsipas had never lost to Khachanov in five meetings on the circuit.

Russian Karen Khachanov during his match against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open semi-final, January 27, 20223 © Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP

On Friday, the Russian, who was playing his second Grand Slam semi-final after reaching the last four at Flushing Meadows last year, was very solid.

He managed ten aces, 46 winners for 32 unforced errors, won three of the four break points obtained and saved seven of twelve on his own service.

But Tsitsipas was both solid and creative.

And he logically took the upper hand with in particular twenty winning shots more than his opponent (66) and 29 points won on the fly on 41 climbs.

In the first set, Tsitsipas twice broke and twice Khachanov picked up the pace.

But in the tie break, the Greek easily won.

The second set always seemed to tip in favor of Tsitsipas.

Khachanov hung on before giving up his face-off to allow Tsitsipas to lead 5-4 and serve for the set.

The Greek was not told twice and concluded with a white game.

Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas during his match against Russian Karen Khachanov in the Australian Open semi-final, in Melbourne, January 27, 2023 © Martin KEEP / AFP

Tsitsipas then earned the break to lead 2-1 in the third set and served for the match at 5-4.

But with a start, Khachanov unbroken.

In the tie break, Tsitsipas broke away 6/4 with two match points, but Khachanov scored four points in a row to come back two sets to one.

Tsitsipas made the entry break in the fourth set and kept the advantage.

© 2023 AFP