Updated On: 23 January, 2022 06:38 AM IST | Melbourne | AFP
“He certainly didn’t have to work as hard as I did for the points, but that paid off at the end with me being consistent and patient when I had to be,” Tsitsipas said

Stefanos Tsitsipas returns to Benoit Paire. Pic/AFP
World No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas did not drop a service game, despite losing a set, as he overpowered Benoit Paire to reach the fourth round at the Australian Open on Saturday. The Greek was on course for a straight-sets win but decisively lost a tiebreak to the Frenchman, before going on to see out victory 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4 on a steamy Rod Laver Arena.
Tsitsipas will face Taylor Fritz for a place in the quarter-finals after the American overcame Spanish 15th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-0, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Tsitsipas is a two-time semi-finalist in Melbourne but is yet to win a Grand Slam title. “He certainly didn’t have to work as hard as I did for the points, but that paid off at the end with me being consistent and patient when I had to be,” Tsitsipas said.