Heartbreak for Williams, Nadal as Australian Open draws to a close

Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas put up a superhuman effort to come from two sets down and defeat 20-time Grand Slam champion, Rafael Nadal 3-6 2-6 7-6 6-4 7-5 and reach the semifinals of the 2021 Australian Open in Melbourne. Tsitsipas became only the third man ever to complete such a comeback against Nadal, having looked down and out after a mere 80 minutes of the game. Tsitsipas will now face Russia’s world number 4, Daniil Medvedev for a place in Sunday’s final at the Rod Laver Arena. Medvedev overcame fellow Russian and world number 7, Andrey Rublev 7-5 6-3 6-2 in straight sets to book his place in the semi-final of the tournament.

In the women’s event on Wednesday, Jennifer Brady defeated fellow American, Jessica Pegula, coming from a set down to win 4-6 6-2 6-1 in three sets and qualify for her first Australian Open semi-final match. In a hugely shocking game, world number 1, Australia’s Ashleigh Barty failed in her bid to win an Australian Grand Slam as she was stunned 6-1 3-6 2-6 by Czech Republic world number 25, Karolina Muchova, setting up a meeting for Muchova with Jennifer Brady.

On Thursday, Naomi Osaka booked her place in the final of the tournament after handing Serena Williams yet another semi-final defeat in straight sets. Osaka ran out as a 6-3 6-4 winner, dominating the game from start to finish as the 39 year old Williams struggled to stay with her. Williams burst into tears and ended her post match press conference abruptly, cutting short her season and possibly spelling the end of her career. In the other semi-final, Jennifer Brady defeated Karolina Muchova 6-4 3-6 6-4 to qualify for her first ever Grand slam final. The world number 22 will look to claim Osaka’s scalp in the final and win her first ever Grand slam title.