Stefanos Tsitsipas mercilessly crushes Aussie wildcard’s dreams

Greek superstar Stefanos Tsitsipas produced one of the most brutal displays to send an Aussie wildcard packing on Wednesday.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 18: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece reacts in their round two singles match against Rinky Hijikata of Australia during day three of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Clinical world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas clocked his sixth consecutive win of the year on Wednesday to sprint into the Australian Open third round in just 92 minutes.

The 24-year-old was in a different league to Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata on Rod Laver Arena, blitzing to victory 6-3, 6-0, 6-2 in a lopsided contest.

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Tsitsipas, a three-time semi-finalist at Melbourne Park, is pursuing a first Grand Slam title and appears to be peaking at the right time.

After winning all four singles matches at the United Cup for Greece, he remains unbeaten this year with Dutch player Tallon Griekspoor awaiting him next.

Is it Tsitsipas’ time? (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

“I felt good out there, the ball was coming off the racquet really well,” said Tsitsipas, who led the ATP Tour for most matches won last year with 61.

“I enjoyed myself, I was great throughout the entire match. Always a pleasure playing on Rod Laver Arena, I have some happy memories here.

“Whenever I’m back here it feels like home,” he added of Melbourne, which has a large Greek community. “In fact, I’m seriously thinking of maybe getting a home here one day.”

Always welcome, Stef! 🏠@steftsitsipas • #AusOpen • #AO2023pic.twitter.com/TEdsYlim60

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2023

Tsitsipas dominated the winners against Hijikata 30-17 while committing far fewer unforced errors.

The third seed burst onto the scene at the Australian Open in 2019 when as a 20-year-old he dethroned defending champion Roger Federer in the last 16.

He went on to reach the semi-finals that year and again in 2021 and 2022. Tsitsipas is one of three players in Melbourne in contention for the number one world ranking along with Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud. He must win the title here to rise to the top.

Originally published as Stefanos Tsitsipas mercilessly crushes Aussie wildcard’s dreams