Australian Open 2021: Rafael Nadal is defeated by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals

Rafael Nadal almost automatically leads as always, but not in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Wednesday. Despite leading two sets, Nadal was defeated by No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets and ended in 3-6, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5. That was the second time in 225 major games that Nadal has lost with a two-game lead.

Fabio Fognini overcame two turnovers and defeated Nadal at the 2015 US Open. Tsitsipas eventually won the last three sets of the game and advanced to the semi-finals. He will face Daniil Medvedev on Friday.

“I have nothing to say to describe what happened on the court, my tennis is self-evident,” Tsitsipas said after the game. “It’s an incredible feeling to fight at such a high level and throw it on the court. I started the game very nervously. I don’t know what happened after the third game. I fly like a bird, everything It all works for me.”

In the process, Nadal missed the historical opportunity. The Spaniard has a chance to win his 21st Grand Slam tournament, which will break the tie between Roger Federer and himself, the most in history.

Before Wednesday, Nadal hadn’t lost a single game in the process of reaching the Melbourne quarter-finals. When Tsitsipas really found his place, everything changed in the third set. In the fourth set, the Tsitsipas continued to maintain his composure, forcing Nadal to defend several break points.

Tsitsipas will now face Medvedev in the semifinal, while Novak Djokovic will face the Asian Karatsev in the other semifinal.