However Tsitsipas’ 71st-ranked rival – who will transfer contained in the world’s prime 40 subsequent week – had fistfuls of probabilities, failing to transform 5 break factors within the fourth sport of the second set, then three extra from 0-40 within the seventh sport of the following set.
Neither second killed Lehecka’s resistance, however not capitalising cruelled his hopes of becoming a member of Ivan Lendl, Tomas Berdych, Petr Korda and Jiri Novak as the one Czech males to succeed in a semi-final at Melbourne Park.
After not dealing with a break level since dropping serve initially of the match, Lehecka ultimately wilted when he dumped a backhand into the online on Tsitsipas’ first match level.
Both Tsitsipas or Russia’s Karen Khachanov – who progressed to consecutive grand slam semi-finals at American Sebastian Korda’s expense earlier on Tuesday – will play of their first Australian Open last on Sunday night time.
Khachanov has by no means overwhelmed Tsitsipas in 5 conferences, with their most up-to-date conflict in Rome on clay final 12 months.
“It’s a match that I’m wanting ahead to. It’s nice to be again within the semi-finals,” Tsitsipas mentioned.
“After all, I’m positively proud of the way in which I’ve been taking part in to this point. I’m wanting forward for extra, for higher. I’m trying to create some magical experiences right here in Australia.”
Tsitsipas stays good in six profession grand slam quarter-finals, however his sole last from these alternatives was on the 2021 French Open, the place he agonisingly misplaced from two units up in opposition to Novak Djokovic.
The desperation from all quarters for somebody, anybody, to dethrone the “Large Three” of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and (whereas he was nonetheless taking part in) Roger Federer means persistence runs too skinny at occasions.
Former “Subsequent Gen” members Tsitsipas, Alex Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev have all loved loads of success, however solely Medvedev owns a grand slam title from that group.
The brand new world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz is just 19 and has one already, whereas the likes of Holger Rune and Jannik Sinner are additionally rising quick, so harsh labels reminiscent of “Misplaced Gen” have began being thrown round.
However Tsitsipas eradicated Sinner from the Open for the second straight 12 months two nights in the past – though he wanted 4 hours and 5 units this time – and has now put a cease to 21-year-old Lehecka’s good run, which included upsetting Borna Coric, Cameron Norrie and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Tsitsipas performed down the importance of whom he had overwhelmed, saying he didn’t put “labels” on his opponents, however the message along with his emphatic play was easy.
They is perhaps coming however Tsitsipas is a part of Era Now, or no matter you need to name it, and has an enormous alternative in entrance of him within the coming days.
“I’m feeling nice with my tennis. I don’t suppose I’ve felt so good in a very long time,” he mentioned.
“I’m a special participant, taking part in totally different. My mentality is totally different. After I’m out on the courtroom; I don’t actually consider negatives, to be sincere. I simply go on the market and play the sport.
“I’m very blissful to be out on the courtroom. I’m very blissful to be performing. I’m very blissful to hit some good photographs, are available in. It’s simply this complete dynamic that has made me very hungry and created quite a lot of need for me to be taking part in tennis, wanting to realize new issues.”
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