MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Stefanos Tsitsipas staved off the incendiary Benoit Paire to achieve the Australian Open fourth spherical on Saturday after a tricky 6-3 7-5 6-7(2) 6-4 however was oblivious that he had gained after changing match level.
Paire dunked a forehand into the online on the primary of three match factors on a steamy afternoon at Rod Laver Arena, however fourth seed Tsitsipas walked to the again of the court docket quite than method the online as followers cheered within the terraces.
The Greek turned on his heel with shock on his face when the consequence was referred to as over the loudspeaker by the chair umpire.
He then jogged ahead to acknowledge Paire earlier than bounding across the court docket with a correct celebration.
A twice semi-finalist at Melbourne Park, Tsitsipas was spared queries on the fake pas by the on-court interviewer.
“I’m fairly glad with that win, Benoit is somebody I say is among the largest stars in our sport,” he advised him.
It was a second serving to of confusion for Tsitsipas within the match, having been cautioned for courtside teaching earlier within the contest.
“I don’t know,” Tsitsipas advised reporters of the warning.
“I used to be actually distant from my coach, and with my again going through the opposite approach, so I used to be simply laughing as a result of I do not know the place that got here from. It was fully surprising.”
Most different issues went nicely for Tsitsipas on the day, barring the third set tiebreak, the place he inexplicably crumbled to let Paire again within the match.
Tsitsipas was then on the again foot towards the Frenchman, who saved in contact with a net-rushing bravado whereas knocking the Greek off his stride with some deft drop pictures.
However, Tsitsipas discovered solace in his serve, which was just about untouchable till 4-4 within the ultimate set when he got here beneath some stress at 30-30.
Paire swore and berated himself after letting Tsitsipas off the hook with errors after which served up a double-fault to reward the Greek match factors.
French Open finalist Tsitsipas will meet American Taylor Fritz for a spot within the quarter-finals, as he continues his bid for a primary Grand Slam title.
“Big server, huge hitter. He has weapons,” he mentioned of Fritz.
“I’ll actually have to remain constant and maintain pushing him again.”
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford and Louise Heavens)
