Tsitsipas was backed by a strong Greek contingent on Court 3, and he oozed confidence at times as he held his nerve to win 6-3 2-6 6-2 7-5 on Wednesday. Highlights: Stefanos Tsitsipas shows class to down dangerman Viktor Troicki Roland-Garros Wilander backs Nadal to 'make history' in Paris A DAY AGO The 20-year-old only converted four out of 19 break points during the contest, but after withstanding Troicki's test, he will now face Nikoloz Basilashvili after the Georgian defeated Stefano Travaglia in a thrilling five-setter. Tsitsipas, who won five of his last seven matches on a hard court, reached the second round after a four-set win against the Italian Matteo Berrettini. After coming through a scare in the second set, he will take part in the third round of a Grand Slam for the second time in his career. Tsitsipas shanks shot, hurls racket into floor Meanwhile, Tomas Berdych needed just 20 minutes to take the first set as the Czech went on to eventually crush Robin Haase 6-1 6-3 6-3. Berdych continued his fine form on his return to the competition following a back injury, and the former world number four dispatched the Dutchman with minimum fuss. The former world number 10 has made a resurgent start to 2019 and he produced another flawless display on Court 8. The Czech is yet to have his serve broken in his first two matches this week, and he will face Diego Schwartzman after the Argentine defeated Denis Kudla in five sets. There were no problems for Marin Cilic either with the big-serving Croatian overcoming Mackenzie McDonald despite dropping the second set. The number six seed - who beat Bernard Tomic in the first round - clinched a tight opener at the Melbourne Court Arena, before the American fought back to level after a tie break. But last year's runner-up held his nerve to eventually prevail 7-5 6-7(9) 6-4 6-4 - and he will face Fernando Verdasco in the third round after the Spaniard beat Radu Albot 6-1 7-6(2) 6-3. Results 19-Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Stefano Travaglia (ITA) 3-6 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-3 18-Diego Schwartzman (ARG) bt Denis Kudla (USA) 6-4 5-7 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4 14-Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) bt Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-3 2-6 6-2 7-5 Andreas Seppi (ITA) bt Jordan Thompson (AUS) 6-3 6-4 6-4 Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt Robin Haase (NED) 6-1 6-3 6-3 26-Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Radu Albot (MDA) 6-1 7-6(2) 6-3 Frances Tiafoe (USA) bt 5-Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4-6 6-4 6-4 7-5 6-Marin Cilic (CRO) bt Mackenzie McDonald (USA) 7-5 6-7(9) 6-4 6-4 3-Roger Federer (SUI) bt Dan Evans (GBR) 7-6(5) 7-6(3) 6-3 Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) bt Reilly Opelka (USA) 6-7(15), 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6[9-5] 10-Karen Khachanov (RUS) bt Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 Taylor Fritz (USA) bt 30-Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-7(8), 7-6(6), 7-6(5) 20-Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) bt Pablo Cuevas (ARG) 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5 22-Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) bt John Millman (AUS) 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 6-7(6), 6-4 27-Alex De Minaur (AUS) bt Henri Laaksonen (SUI) 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-3 2-Rafael Nadal (ESP) bt Matthew Ebden 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 Roland-Garros Nadal, Djokovic and Federer in same half of juicy French Open draw YESTERDAY AT 15:19<doc-sep>Roger Federer, Stefanos Tsitsipas Key Highlights Federer came through in straight sets, shutting out the challenge of American Taylor Fritz. Tsitsipas scored a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 win over Basilashvili. The Swiss and Greek haven't played each other in a Tour-level match, but met across the net in the Hopman Cup a couple of weeks ago. MELBOURNE: When the 14th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas takes on defending champion Roger Federer , it'll be a battle of generations, a clash of styles. The leader of the old guard versus one of the front-runners of ATP's next generation. An Australian Open fourth-round meeting. A baton exchange zone, possibly. Federer, seeded three, came through in straight sets, shutting out the challenge of American Taylor Fritz . There were explosions of not just shot-making ability echoing across the grounds from Tsitsipas' clash with the 19th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili . The 20-year-old Greek had a meltdown in the third set when serving at 5-3, he let out a string of expletives in Greek and then delayed a point. He was slapped with two code violations "His call (umpire's) was much later, after my opponent made the return. I found this very unfair," Tsitsipas, who scored a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 win, said, "I let it all out. I think the umpire's decision was not right, but it was important that I let this pass. I was a bit frustrated for a couple of games, but then I stayed positive. I started thinking, let's not just destroy everything and concentrate on the tiebreak." The Swiss and Greek haven't played each other in a Tour-level match, but met across the net in the Hopman Cup a couple of weeks ago. "This is obviously a different type of match, it being best-of-five, it being the fourth-round of a Slam," Federer, who came through in two tie-break sets in Perth, weighed in. "He's playing well, I like how he mixes up his game and also comes to the net. We will see athletic attacking tennis being played." "I learned a lot since my last match with him at the (Hopman Cup)," Tsitsipas said. "I know the patterns that he's using a bit better now. He's serving really well, so I'm going to have to utilize my returns as much as possible. My return games need to be aggressive and I must press a lot." Tsitsipas, a Federer fan growing up, said: "It's insane I'm in this position where I can actually play him. It's really emotional." "It's not easy to play these kind of players, who you've been watching for so long and you finally get to play them. Mentally, you have to be much stronger than any other match that you have faced that week," he said. "Having such a name like Federer on the other side, it's an extra, I would say, advantage for him, because he's done what he's done. But mentally, for players to beat him, they have to be ready and believe in themselves."<doc-sep>Tsitsipas was compared to Nadal (Picture: Getty Images) Mats Wilander believes Stefanos Tsitsipas has the mental strength of Rafael Nadal and won’t be fazed by a meeting with Roger Federer on Sunday. The Greek sensation has captured the imagination of tennis fans since bursting on the scene in 2018 and he will get a shot at the two-time defending champion in the fourth round. Tsitipas hasn’t had it all his own way so far at the Australian Open and was forced to apologise for an expletive-laden rant at a line judge during his third-round match, saying in Greek: ‘F*** your house’. Tsitsipas apology for swearing Yeah, when I lost my temper, right? Yeah, the ball was overruled, and I didn’t quite get it, because his call was much later after my opponent made the return. I found this very unfair from the referee. Yeah, it was a bit unfair, and, you know, pressure and everything. Yeah, I let all of it out. Again, it was not fair, and I think referee’s decision was not the right one, but it was important that I let this by. I was a bit frustrated for a couple of games, but then I stayed positive. I start thinking, Let’s not leave this, let’s not just destroy everything, and concentrate on the next game, tiebreak, and it went pretty well. It was heat of the moment. I said some really bad things. I regret saying them. But I really wanted this really bad. At that moment it felt like it was slipping out, you know. He kind of found comfort and confidence after that. So I was really frustrated. I didn’t quite think what I was saying. Yeah, I wish I could change that and wouldn’t say that. It’s not the right attitude. But despite his on-court antics during a win over Nikoloz Basilashvili Wilander is impressed by his character off the court and believes he can transcend the sport. ‘He won’t be fazed by playing against Roger Federer or on Rod Laver Arena in front of a full house at all,’ Wilander told Eurosport. ‘I think he’s pretty relaxed by big moments like that, but it doesn’t mean he’s complacent. He’s super focused. ‘I think we might get the wrong idea about him because of his charisma and on-court attitude but he’s like Nadal: mega, mega, mega focused and he wants it. Does Tsitsipas share Nadal’s focus? (Picture:Getty Images) ‘If you ask me, out of the young guys, if you want someone who can transcend the sport of tennis, this is the guy. He just has to back it up with Grand Slam wins and does he have the game, the level of these guys? I don’t know yet.’ So can Tsitsipas cause an upset and knock Federer out? ‘Of course, he has a chance,’ Wilander added. ‘He’s 20 years old, completely unafraid. Federer is a dinosaur in a 20 years olds mind at 37 years old. ‘The only problem with Federer is that he won the Australian Open last year so he’s the defending champion and is arguably the greatest player of all time. Federer faces Tsitsipas next (Picture:AFP/Getty Images) ‘But if you set aside the win here last year and ask what else he did– I mean he lost to [Borna] Coric in Halle, [Alexander] Zverev too, so there are a lot of things a young guy can take from that as they don’t have a head-to-head record to be intimidated by. ‘The intimidation on the court is not there, it maybe by the aura of the man and the reputation. But does he have a chance tennis-wise? I’m not sure. ‘Federer loves someone that doesn’t overpower him, so he can play around with slices and serve and volleys. So no, I think Federer is the clear favourite.’ Watch the Australian Open LIVE and Exclusive on Eurosport and Eurosport Player.<doc-sep>Not since Marcos Baghdatis made Melbourne Park his home away from home has a foreign player drawn as much passionate support at the Australian Open as Stefanos Tsitsipas. But then again, the 20-year-old is one of the brightest young stars on the planet. For the second successive match, the Greek sensation drew supporters in droves to show court 3, where he took just over two and a half hours to work past Serbian veteran Viktor Troicki 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 and set up a third round encounter with No. 19 seed Nikoloz Basilashvili. And just as they did when Cypriot star Baghdatis came from the clouds to make it to 2006 final during a fairytale fortnight, Greek supporters will flock to every match, much to the delight of the world No. 15. Supporters of Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas cheer him on against Serbia's Viktor Troicki. Source: AFP “It is great having them next to me in difficult times. They are very loud; they want it more than me at times. So far, they have been fantastic,” Tsitsipas told reporters after beating Troicki on Wednesday. “No, I’m not (surprised by the support). I remember how it was with Baghdatis and I saw it last year for the first time. But thank god I’m doing better this year compared to last year. “I would say it always a big help having a big group of people there for you. It is definitely different to the other tournaments. I wouldn’t say (they add) pressure, but you just feel that people care more.” Tsitsipas has grown close to his boyhood idol in the past couple of years, playing doubles with Baghdatis in 2018, as well as spending part of his off-season in Cyprus with the 33-year-old veteran, who fell at the final round of qualifying for this year’s Australian Open. Stefanos Tsitsipas reacts after a point against Serbia's Viktor Troicki on Wednesday. Source: AFP If you’re looking for the emerging star during his time in town, you might find him inside George Calombaris’ iconic restaurant Gazi, where terracotta pots hang from the ceiling and where they serve teriyaki pork gyros’, or at Melbourne late night institution Stalactites, where Baghdatis has left his mark. “I have many favourites. I really like the Asian fusion restaurant called Gazi in Flinders St; that is a mix of Asian and Greek,” he said. “I also like Stalactites in the city somewhere. “I heard they named a souvlaki after Marcos Baghdatis … which is pretty cool.”<doc-sep>
Greek young gun Stefanos Tsitsipas has apologised for a foul-mouthed outburst at the Australian Open. The 20-year-old recovered from a spectacular mid-match meltdown to become the first Greek player ever through to the fourth round of the Australian Open, setting up a last 16 showdown with Roger Federer. The 14th seed triumphed 6-3 3-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 over Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili in two hours and 54 minutes at Margaret Court Arena. KYRGIOS IN AWE OF ‘CRAZY GOOD’ FEDERER THE 17-YEAR-OLD FREAK WHO JUST BROKE A HEAP OF RECORDS BARTY WINS, AND WINS US ALL OVER But he was hit with two code violations after was forced to replay a set point that he went on to lose. “That wanker has f***ed me, f*** your house,” Tsitsipas yelled towards a linesman in Greek. Tsitsipas was docked his first serve for exceeding the shot clock at a crucial moment while facing a break point in the third set. The powerful Georgian Basilashvili, seeded 19, took advantage on the second delivery to break back causing Tsitsipas to unload the verbal tirade in the direction of his coaching team in his player box. French umpire Alexandre Robein clearly understood enough of Greek and English vernacular to slap the 20-year-old with a code violation for an audible obscenity. In his post-match press conference Tsitsipas reiterated his felt the decision to replay the point was wrong and “unfair”. However he admitted he was not proud of his reaction. “For sure (I apologise). I said some really bad things. I regret saying them,” Tstisipas said. “But I really wanted this really bad. At that moment it felt like it was slipping out, you know. “He kind of found comfort and confidence after that. So I was really frustrated. I didn’t quite think what I was saying. “I wish I could change that and wouldn’t say that. It’s not the right attitude.” He settled down after the expletive outburst, going on to win the third set in a tie-break. MORE TENNIS NEWS ‘HE WON’T PLAY’: HEWITT ACCUSES TOMIC OF ‘THREATENING FAMILY’ ‘WOULDN’T HAVE SAID A WORD’: HEWITT COPS IT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS BIRD S*** DRAMA SETS UP BIZARRE 3AM AUS OPEN MARATHON “I am delighted it was a tough match today — conditions were different than the other days,” Tsitsipas said after the match. “I feel so comfortable here, I feel like I am playing at home. It’s exciting to have such an atmosphere when I am on the court.” Tsitsipas is the first Greek man to reach the round of 16 at two tennis majors. He will next face defending champion Roger Federer, a 6-2 7-5 6-2 winner over American Taylor Fritz on Sunday. KYRGIOS’ SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIONS WON’T BE TOLERATED: HEWITT ‘IT HASN’T SUNK IN YET’: AUSSIE WILDCARD’S NO. 7 SEED BOILOVER “It’s going to be an amazing thing playing at Rod Laver Arena,” Tsitsipas said. Also through to the third round is Tomas Berdych after the Czech’s 5-7 6-3 7-5 6-4 win over 18th-seed Argentinian Diego Schwartzman.