Tsitsipas continues his unbeaten winning streak at Australian Open

Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has kept his unbeaten streak this year intact with another romp at the Australian Open to set up a round of 16 clash with dangerous Italian Jannik Sinner.

The 24-year-old, who has yet to drop a set, clinched his seventh straight win of 2023 on Friday by beating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena to coast into the fourth round. 

"It was good mixing up today, my slice, opening up the court. I think my placement on the serve was exceptional," said Tsitsipas.

"I didn't have a lot of rallies on my serve today, which helped, and I just kept things clean. I enjoyed finding my way through today, it wasn't easy at times."

Like Tsitsipas, 63rd-ranked Griekspoor also came into the match unbeaten, on a six-match streak after collecting a maiden Tour-level title in Pune, India.

The 24-year-old was in charge in the first set, breaking twice, dominating from the baseline and the net to sweep through in just 28 minutes.

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Tougher opponent next

But the Dutchman put up stiffer resistance in the second, earning a set point at 6-5 which Tsitsipas saved to take it to a tiebreak where he kept his cool to prevail.

Griekspoor's resolve melted and Tsitsipas broke for a 3-1 lead in the third set before racing home.

With defending champion Rafael Nadal and world number three Casper Ruud both out, Tsitsipas, who won all four games at the United Cup leading into the Grand Slam, is the highest seed left on the men 's side.

His next assignment, for a place in the last eight, is a showdown with Italy's 15th-seeded Sinner who stormed back to crush Hungary's Marton Fucsovics 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0.

It will be a rematch of their Melbourne Park quarter-final last year, which Tsitsipas won in straight sets. 

Sinner, a six-time champion on the ATP Tour, kept his hopes alive with a sensational comeback against Fucsovics, who lost all confidence as the match progressed.

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