Putting behind him his first-round exit at the Adelaide tournament, Tsitsipas began his Australian Open commitments on a positive note. Against Shintaro Mochizuki, he secured victory with a 4–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–2 scoreline to book his place in the next round of the season’s first Grand Slam.

Tsitsipas’ next opponent will be Tomas Machac, who earlier defeated Grigor Dimitrov 6–4, 6–4, 6–3. It will be a demanding challenge for the 27-year-old Greek, who will be bidding for a place in the third round of the tournament.

One break was enough for Mochizuki

The match began with both players comfortably holding serve. Tsitsipas was the first to threaten a break, earning two break points in the fourth game, but Mochizuki saved both to level at 2–2.

What the Greeks failed to convert, the Japanese player managed to do. In the seventh game, Mochizuki capitalised on his opportunity to break Tsitsipas’ serve and move ahead 4–3. The world No.112 then held serve for 5–3 and was not troubled again in the set, closing it out 6–4 to take the early lead.

After six missed break points, the equaliser came as a gift

Tsitsipas once again served first at the start of the second set, holding comfortably for 1–0. In the following game, he missed six break points, allowing Mochizuki to level. The Japanese player then squandered three break points of his own, with Tsitsipas regaining the advantage at the change of ends (2–1).

The Greek earned a seventh break point in the set, which was finally converted after a double fault from Mochizuki. World No.35 Tsitsipas went on to hold serve despite facing triple break point later on, taking the set 6–3 to level the match.

A strong start laid the foundations for the lead

Riding the momentum from the previous set, Tsitsipas earned two break points in Mochizuki’s opening service game of the third set. This time, he made no mistake, securing the crucial break for 1–0.

A hold followed for 2–0 and, despite a break-back threat from the Japanese player in the sixth game, Tsitsipas went on to break again for 5–2. Serving for the set, the Greek closed it out 6–2 to move ahead in the match.

Dominant display seals the ticket to the next round

In the fourth set, everything pointed towards a Tsitsipas victory. Although he dropped the opening game, he responded with five consecutive games to move within one of the match.

In the seventh game, Tsitsipas earned two match points, but Mochizuki managed to stay alive. The following game proved more straightforward for the world No.35, who sealed the set 6–2 and celebrated his victory.