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MELBOURNE. — Stefanos Tsitsipas blasted into a fourth Australian Open tennis semi-final yesterday and a showdown with Karen Khachanov as he zeroes in on a maiden Grand Slam title.

The Greek third seed proved too powerful for unseeded Czech Jiri Lehecka on Rod Laver Arena, storming home 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.

He will face the Russian 18th seed Khachanov for a place in his first Melbourne Park final, having crashed in the semis three times previously, including in the past two years.

Russia’s Khachanov booked his place when American Sebastian Korda retired hurt with a wrist injury while trailing 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 3-0.

“It felt different this time from any other match and the most important thing in the end is that I found a solution,” said Tsitsipas, who will become world No 1 should he win the title. Novak Djokovic can also achieve the feat if he does the same.

“It was a very difficult three-setter, one of the most difficult so far in the competition,” added Tsitsipas, 24.

“Jiri had a very good tournament, he’s started playing very well recently. He’s a great player. — AFP”