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World number 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas delivered a moment of brilliance at the 2024 Australian Open, executing a potential 'shot of the year' against Zizou Bergs at the Rod Laver Arena.
This remarkable shot occurred at a crucial moment in the match, propelling Tsitsipas into the second round of the tournament. Despite losing the first set to the 129th-ranked player, Tsitsipas managed to shift the momentum in his favour as the second set began.
In a crucial exchange, his Belgian opponent delicately played the ball across the net. Undeterred, Tsitsipas swiftly moved towards the net, displaying exceptional reach as he struck the ball off the ground in a move reminiscent of a balletic performance.
Tsitsipas executed an exceptional return directed towards the umpire, securing the point and skillfully avoiding the net, preventing a potential penalty.
This extraordinary manoeuvre elicited a collective gasp of admiration from the audience, leaving Bergs in disbelief as he covered his mouth in sheer astonishment. Reflecting on the shot post-match, Tsitsipas expressed uncertainty about how he managed it, labelling the feat as extraordinary.
"That shot was extraordinary, I don't even know how I got that shot. I thought for a split second when he hit that underspin volley 'that's it, I'll have to prepare for the next point'. But I guess not wanting to give up and just giving it a try gave me the point that I believe turned around the match today," said Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas' remarkable stroke became the pivotal moment in the match, securing him a 2-0 lead and a subsequent break. He ultimately went on to claim victory with a final scoreline of 5-7, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.
Originally set to face Italy's Matteo Berrettini in the first round, Tsitsipas encountered a change in opponents due to Berrettini's sudden foot injury on Sunday. As a result, Bergs was selected as the replacement player.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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