Comebacks in tennis do not get more impressive than beating a man who simply does not let go of his hold on a match when he is playing well. There is a reason why Rafael Nadal had lost only twice in his career in a five-set match after winning the first two sets.
But, there was a third entry into that little list as Stefanos Tsitsipas recovered from two sets down to stun Nadal in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Wednesday, ending the Spaniard’s bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title.
A rare, rare moment in tennis.
— The Field (@thefield_in) February 17, 2021
vs Roger Federer (2005, Miami)
vs Fabio Fognini (2015, US Open)
vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (2021, #AusOpen)
Only three times in his career Rafael Nadal has been beaten after winning the first 2 sets!
What. A. Match. pic.twitter.com/qTXYuYeeEu
Second seed Nadal was on course for a comfortable victory before Tsitsipas turned the match around to prevail 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-5 in a seismic upset.
“I don’t know what happened after the third set – I fly like little bird, everything was working for me,” said Tsitsipas, who hit 49 winners and 17 aces.
Watch the highlights here:
When you become the third person in history to defeat Rafael Nadal from two sets to love down 🤩🤩🤩@steftsitsipas | #AO2021 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/bqEHhOlj6i
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 17, 2021
Here are some reactions to an epic win for the Greek star:
A MIRACLE IN MELBOURNE 😳@steftsitsipas is into the #AusOpen semi-finals! pic.twitter.com/AbjpMDnshs
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 17, 2021
"I'm speechless. I have no words."@steftsitsipas | #AO2021 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/pSfC4671Nd
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 17, 2021
HISTORY
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) February 17, 2021
Only two men have rallied from two sets down to beat Nadal at a Grand Slam:
🔸 Fabio Fognini (2015 US Open)
🔹 Stefanos Tsitsipas (2021 #AusOpen) pic.twitter.com/aVNDcThIR7
Wow
— Thanasi Kokkinakis (@TKokkinakis) February 17, 2021
Nadal and Tsitsipas putting on a show! #AustralianOpen2021 👏👏
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 17, 2021
It was on this court that Tsitsipas announced himself to the world by beating Roger Federer.
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) February 17, 2021
Now he's got a ... well, a grown-up win against Nadal. A win where Nadal saw him coming. A win that had to be earned in the most excruciatingly exhausting fashion. pic.twitter.com/96Wu1IxfYU
Was a slightly strange but fascinating match. Tsitsipas wasn't great in sets 1 & 2, Nadal was good. And then Tsitsipas was near flawless in sets 4 & 5 while Nadal really didn't look great for periods, committing some very unusual errors on big points
— Matthew Willis (@MattRacquet) February 17, 2021
A 5-set match coming down to one shot? Maybe, just maybe.
— Ravi Ubha (@raviubha) February 17, 2021
Yes, that overhead miss on the second point of the TB.
Rafa’s forehand completely gone. Shame really 😞. Was playing well until that 3rd set TB.
— Nawal (@NawalNadal) February 17, 2021
Take a bow Tsitsipas! To beat Nadal from 2 sets down is incredible 💪🏼 @AustralianOpen
— Pankaj Advani (@PankajAdvani247) February 17, 2021
Nadal left the room mid-press conference because he was cramping, and joked, in Spanish, that he left the room so there aren't a million memes of him cramping all over the internet.
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) February 17, 2021
Correct https://t.co/mBYUGnDQwR
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) February 17, 2021
Just a final thought:
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) February 17, 2021
We can talk all day and night (and will) about the degree to which Nadal lost that vs Tsitsipas winning it.
But there's a very specific exhilaration that comes from seeing a player come into their own before your eyes.
I think we all felt it.
Wow 4 unforced errors from Rafa in one game!! Can’t remember the last time i saw that!! Tsitsipas to serve it out??
— Pat Cash (@TheRealPatCash) February 17, 2021
Rare match where Nadal looks like he’s getting beaten on physicality.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) February 17, 2021
Tsitsipas looks fresher and stronger. #AusOpen