Australian Open day nine: Stefanos Tsitsipas sets up Karen Khachanov semi-final
By Eleanor Crooks, PA Tennis Correspondent, Melbourne
Stefanos Tsitsipas continued to look the most likely challenger to Novak Djokovic as he eased into the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
The third seed defeated young Czech Jiri Lehecka in straight sets and will next meet Russia’s Karen Khachanov, who benefited from Sebastian Korda’s mid-match retirement due to a wrist injury.
Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina won a power battle against Jelena Ostapenko to set up a last-four clash with Victoria Azarenka, who saw off third seed Jessica Pegula.
Picture of the day
Point of the day
A 24 shot rally between @Sana_D_Takashi 🇯🇵 and @BenBartram3 🇬🇧
Finished in style by the 17-year-old Brit 🔥@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/eg2h1WxzFY— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2023
Quote of the day
Stat of the day
Dog days
Happy Birthday to Victoria Azarenka's dog, Guapo 🐶❤️ #AusOpen | @vika7 pic.twitter.com/gTicxtfMZ3
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 24, 2023
Fallen seeds
Women: Jessica Pegula (3), Jelena Ostapenko (17)
Men: Sebastian Korda (29)
Who’s up next?
Djokovic will hope his fitness worries are now behind him as he takes on fifth seed Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.
The winner of that contest is guaranteed to meet an unseeded American in the last four, with Tommy Paul facing 20-year-old Ben Shelton.
Fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka will hope to keep her title hopes alive when she takes on Donna Vekic, while former world number one Karolina Pliskova plays Magda Linette.
