Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Roger Federer is huge Australian Open upset

Remember the name Stefanos Tsitsipas. The man they call the 'Greek Freak' has pulled off the biggest upset of the Australian Open, knocking out the great Roger Federer. How did he do it? Relive the epic clash here.

The new wave has become a tsunami.

Stefanos Tsitsipas used to watch online videos of his hero Roger Federer, but on Sunday night he delivered the Swiss master a taste of his own medicine to send the six-time Australian Open champion home from Melbourne a week early. 

With a one-handed backhand eerily similar to that of the great, Tsitsipas' upset delivered him into Greek god-like status for his legion of fans that packed Garden Square to chant him home. 

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“I’m the happiest man on earth right now,” he said, albeit a little stunned following his 6-7 (11-13) 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-6 (7-5) win. 

“I cannot describe it.”

Tsitsipas, whose marked rise up the rankings has him at 15th in the world, has been a key figure in tennis’ next generation of players, having grown up with Federer as his hero.

“Roger is a legend of our sport – so much respect for him. He showed such good things over the years. I’ve been idolizing him since the age of six,” he said.

Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates his upset win over Roger Federer. Picture: AAP Images

“It was a dream come true for me just being on Rod Laver facing him. And I mean, winning at the end … I cannot describe it, you know?.”

The emerging Greek star dismantled Federer steadily, with the 17-time grand slam winner showing rare flashes of irritation at delays and mistakes. 

Federer failed to convert 12 break point opportunities, and said his inability to capitalise and changing conditions had contributed to his defeat. “There is always multiple factors that play into a match like this,” he said. 

“But it definitely didn’t go the way I was hoping on the break points. 

“Nevertheless, it’s very frustrating.”Failing to secure the second set, he said, had “cost me the game”. 

“I have massive regrets tonight,” he said. 

“I might not look the part, but I am.”John McEnroe suggested the night marked a changing of the guard, which Federer said was something he had heard often over the last decade. "About Stefanos ... I think he's definitely done a really nice job now the last year and a half," he said. 

Roger Federer waves goodbye to the Melbourne Park crowd. Picture: AAP Images

"I mean before that, too, obviously. But beating Novak (Djokovic) in Toronto, the likes of (Kevin) Anderson and (Alexander) Zverev, now me here. That's what you need to do to get to the next level. He's doing that. It's really nice for him."I see him definitely being high up in the game for a long time. That was a good night for him tonight."

After missing the last three French Opens, Federer confirmed that he had plans in place to play this year's clay season. 

Tsitsipas didn't only break new personal ground in reaching the second week of a grand slam for the first time, becoming the first Greek player to reach a grand slam quarterfinal, ever. 

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Originally published as Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Roger Federer is huge Australian Open upset