Australian Open - 'Big titles to come' for 'unbelievable' Stefanos Tsitsipas - Henman and Wilander

ByDan Quarrell

Updated 17/02/2021 at 13:57 GMT

The eagerly-anticipated quarter-final clash between Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas delivered in remarkable fashion as the Greek rising star staged a five-set fightback for the ages against the world number two, and Eurosport's Mats Wilander and Tim Henman were left in no doubt that he will be a Grand Slam champion soon.

There will be major titles to come for Stefanos Tsitsipas after his incredible comeback against Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open, according to Eurosport's Mats Wilander and Tim Henman.

It was a quite incredible resurgence from Tsitsipas as he produced a classic fightback to win, 3-6 2-6 7-6 6-4 7-5, and deny the 2009 champion another last-four appearance at Melbourne Park.

Nadal came into the match holding a 6-1 head-to-head record over the Greek, but the 22-year-old staged a stunning response to reach the last four for the second time, and Wilander and Henman were wowed by his performance.

ATP Barcelona

Nadal says French Open is moment to 'give everything' after Barcelona exit

5 hours ago

"It did look like he was the slightly better player towards the end of that match," Wilander said in the Eurosport Cube after the match.

'This is what tells me he will win majors' - Henman and Wilander praise Tsitsipas

"It looked like Rafa got tired towards the end of the match. The confidence from Tsitsipas in the fifth set was incredible.

"The most important part of this match was the last game of the match where he made nearly every first serve, and that's impossible.

That is what tells me that this guy, Tsitsipas, is going to win majors, because he played high percentage when he needed to in the end.

'Unbelievable feeling' - Tsitsipas reacts to remarkable win over Nadal

Henman was equally impressed with how clutch Tsitsipas was when it really mattered in the final stages of the dramatic match, and is certain big titles will soon follow.

"For me, when he was down two sets to love, he was out there thinking, 'Will I have to pay for this lesson?', because Rafa was just absolutely incredible," Henman said.

"He [Tsitsipas] was getting beaten in every facet of the game. Yes, that's the beauty of five sets, that you've still got that opportunity, but you also have to have the belief.

"It was an unbelievable performance from Tsitsipas. It is such small margins and he was aggressive when he needed to be.

"He is one of these players that I feel as though he has been around for ages, but he is still only 22 years old.

To produce a performance like that against Nadal will give him huge confidence. For the future there are big titles to come.

'Monumental' - Watch the thrilling final points as Tsitsipas beat Nadal

- - -

A head-turning offer for head-turning tennis. One-month premium subscription for just 99p on the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk

ATP Barcelona

Nadal beaten by De Minaur as clay comeback halted in Barcelona

15 hours ago

ATP Barcelona

'Means a lot to me' - Nadal makes triumphant clay return after emphatic win over Cobolli

Yesterday at 19:24

ATP Barcelona

Nadal confirms he will play in Barcelona after 'last-minute' decision

15/04/2024 at 12:57