American Frances Tiafoe enjoys dream birthday at Australian Open
Roger Federer's chances of winning a third consecutive Australian Open title were ended as 20-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas came of age on Rod Laver Arena.
The Greek, who was not born when Federer made his professional debut, has rapidly established himself as one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents in the game and backed it up spectacularly with a 6-7 (11) 7-6 (3) 7-5 7-6 (5) victory to move through to a first grand slam quarter-final.
Federer had not lost a match at Melbourne Park since a semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic in 2016 but his often brilliant forehand was wayward, especially at the big moments, and he failed to take four set points in the second set that might well have changed the outcome.
The 37-year-old must have glimpsed something of his younger self in his opponent, from the flowing single-handed backhand, the willingness to charge the net, and the confidence to believe he could beat his childhood idol, just as Federer did to Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001.
Tsitsipas said: "Roger is a legend of the sport, (I have) so much respect for him. He showed such good tennis over the years. I've been idolising him since the age of six. It was a dream come true just being on Rod Laver facing him. Winning at the end, I cannot describe it."
There was drama from the first game, when Tsitsipas was given two time violations, resulting in the loss of a first serve, and saved two break points.
But from there he grew into the match impressively and held his serve more comfortably than Federer, who was struggling to find the timing on his forehand, through to the tie-break.
With the tension levels creeping up and up during a dramatic game, Tsitsipas had three set-point opportunities but could not take them and it was Federer who pounced, taking advantage when his opponent appeared to be put off by a shout from the crowd.
Tsitsipas has received raucous support during the tournament from Melbourne's large Greek population but, with Rod Laver Arena not open to ground pass holders, most of them had to make do with cheering him on from in front of the big screen.
The noise, which could be heard in Laver, gradually reduced as Federer began to pile on the pressure in the second set. Tsitsipas saved four break points across two long service games and then four set points at 4-5.
But that galvanised the young Greek, who stands out from the crowd not just with his flamboyant game but his love of photography and philosophy, and he played much the better tie-break to level the match.
Federer had tightened back up, with his forehand a liability whenever he had an opportunity to press. Having failed to take any of 10 break points across the first two sets, he missed two more chances in the sixth game of the third set.
In the next game, Tsitsipas had his first two openings on Federer's serve but the Swiss, too, stood firm. However, serving at 5-6, Federer again coughed up two opportunities and this time Tsitsipas took one, inevitably on a forehand error.
Rather like when he wilted in the heat against John Millman at the same stage of the US Open, this was a reminder that Federer is trying to achieve unprecedented things, and even the greatest cannot win the ageing game.
But, if Federer was feeling the pace, so was Tsitsipas, who called the trainer for a leg massage at 4-3, much to the annoyance of his opponent, who was serving next.
The set would be decided by another tie-break, and Federer showed he was not finished quite yet with a brilliant running forehand winner to make it 2-2. However, another missed forehand gave Tsitsipas a first match point, and he did not blink.
Asked for his feelings when he won the final point, Tsitsipas said he had flashbacks of watching Federer as a child.
"Just happiness, pure happiness," he said. "It was a very emotional moment. It was a beginning of something really big. I felt joy. I felt a huge relief going out of my shoulders.
"That moment is definitely something that I will never, ever, ever forget. I just managed to close that match and stay strong, beat my idol. My idol today became pretty much my rival."
Asked if he believes he can go all the way and win the title, Tsitsipas said: "For sure. That's why I'm here. That's why I'm playing, for the trophy. I feel good. I really want it badly."
Federer made no attempt to hide how much the defeat hurt, saying: "I have massive regrets tonight. I felt like I have to win the second set. I don't care how I do it, but I have to do it. Cost me the game tonight."
On John McEnroe's on-court remarks that the result marked a changing of the guard, Federer replied: "He's in front of the mic a lot. He's always going to say stuff. I love John. I've heard that story the last 10 years. From that standpoint, nothing new there.
"About Stefanos, I think he's definitely done a really nice job now the last year and a half. Before that, too, obviously. But beating Novak 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."
🎙️ What's it like beating Roger Federer at a grand slam??#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/4DB5vMfxzl
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) January 20, 2019
American Frances Tiafoe gave himself the dream 21st birthday present by upsetting Grigor Dimitrov to reach his first grand slam quarter-final.
The son of immigrants from Sierra Leone, Tiafoe got into tennis after sleeping on the floor of the training centre where his father was the head of maintenance.
He enjoyed a breakthrough 2018 and has built on that superbly here, showing his talent and belief in a 7-5 7-6 (6) 6-7 (1) 7-5 victory that featured no end of tight moments.
Tiafoe has become famous this week for his LeBron James-style, muscles-out celebrations but he was almost too overcome by his emotions to perform them this time.
Fighting back tears, he said: "It means the world. I work my ass off man. I told my parents 10 years ago I was going to be a pro, I was going to change my life and their life. Now I'm in the quarters of a slam. I can't believe it."
Tiafoe next faces the mighty challenge of taking on Rafael Nadal, who demolished Tomas Berdych 6-0 6-1 7-6 (4).
Berdych has been rejuvenated this week after taking the second half of last season off with a back injury but he was overwhelmed in the early stages and did not get on the board until the 10th game.
The Czech put up a much better fight in the third set and held one set point in the 12th game but Nadal proved the stronger in the tie-break.
It is the 11th time in his last 12 appearances at Melbourne Park that Nadal has reached at least the quarter-finals, with his only title coming 10 years ago.
Marathon man Roberto Bautista Agut finally made the quarter-finals of a slam at the 10th attempt with a five-set win over last year's runner-up Marin Cilic.
Bautista Agut was taken to five sets in his opening two rounds by Andy Murray and John Millman before seeing off 10th seed Karen Khachanov in straight sets.
Cilic, who was beaten by Roger Federer in the final 12 months ago, fought back from two sets to one down to force a decider but it was Bautista Agut who battled to a 6-7 (6) 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-4 victory.
The 30-year-old had lost all nine of his previous fourth-round matches at the slams, including three times in Melbourne.
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