Tsitsipas

Stefanos Tsitsipas was clearly flaunting the rules in his semi final clash with Karel Khachanov, yet his b...

Earlier in the first set Tsitsipas was twice called for serve clock violations, but that number could have been considerably higher had the umpire been ruling on it strictly. It became somewhat farcical at one point when the Greek star was clearly confused and agitated by the rulings, Nine commentator Lleyton Hewitt pointing out that he may not have been aware it was his back foot causing the indiscretion, rather than the more usual foot fault which is called when the front foot touches or crosses the baseline during the service action. But there are clocks all over the place." Who knows how many breaks he could have conjured if more calls were going his way? Yeah that was a foot fault. It was just so obvious. While the Greek star took his game up another level after the tiebreaker, Khachanov seemed flattened by his inability to seize the momentum after breaking back for a second time prior to the first set tiebreaker and the second set flew by after Tsitsipas grabbed an early break. So I would've been surprised if they didn't call it." At the break between the first and second sets the umpire may have been told to monitor the centre line more closely, with Tsitsipas foot faulted on a number of occasions in quick succession when he crossed the middle line in the second set. "That was a foot fault right there. [Karen Khachanov](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/karen-khachanov) was given a raw deal in the opening set of his [Australian Open](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open) semi final against [Stefanos Tsitsipas](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/stefanos-tsitsipas), according to a host of tennis pundits, who called out chair umpire Nico Helwerth for letting the Greek star get away with several rule violations. But there was a sense in some quarters that the complexion of the match could have changed completely had the first set not been edged by Tsitsipas, with lenient officiating playing a role.

Rolex testimonee and famed Greek tennis player speaks to Harper's BAZAAR about his journey to the 2023 Australian Open.

And I’m ready to make the required sacrifices, [to] take that next step in my career to make it happen,” he says. In my case I am currently building on a dream and these legends of our sport have led generations of players and have shown us the path excellency. Tsitsipas respects the path forged by these legends of the game. Tsitsipas is in esteemed company in the Rolex family, with Rod Laver, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek fellow Testimonees. [Rolex](https://www.rolex.com/) has been the Official Timekeeper, with its iconic green timepieces synonymous with the highly anticipated event. One of the event’s main drawcards and Rolex Testimonee, Stefanos Tsitsipas, caught up with Harper’s BAZAAR during pre-season training.

Greek tennis sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas's commitment to helping fund Victorian education initiatives for the underprivileged has endeared him even more to ...

“Tsitsipas is a great ambassador for both countries. For me it’s the Australian Open.” I’d like to do that,” said Tsitsipas, also expressing his love of Australia and demonstrating the progress he has made in learning the local slang. I would consider it my home slam. It feels very welcoming when you’re able to walk around and feel that. It always reminds me of home a little bit when I’m here,” said third seed Tsitsipas, following what was his fourth semi-final victory on Tuesday.

Tsitsipas is a Greek tennis player who was born into a tennis-playing family, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that he soon picked up the sport.

Answer: Statistically, Roger Federer is considered to be the best male tennis player of all time. During the Covid-19 pandemic, however, he did launch an online auction to help contribute to the Player Relief Programme. He owns a Tesla which he bought in 2019 and also possesses a Ferrari F430, along with other luxury cars. Additionally, he has a racquet sponsorship from Wilson and his other sponsors include New Balance, Rolex and Rexona. He also reached the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters in the same year. In the 2022 season, he earned over USD 4.2 million from winning 46 matches and two titles. 2021 was also quite impressive for Tsitsipas – he won his first Masters 1000 title at the Monte Carlo Masters and reached his first Grand Slam final. His performance only got better in 2019 when he won the ATP final and picked up an impressive win against the legendary Roger Federer at the Tsitsipas is a Greek tennis player who was born into a tennis-playing family, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that he soon picked up the sport. Is he the next promising young athlete who will eventually become one of the all-time greats of men’s tennis? In the 4th round of the 2023 Australian Open, Stefanos Tsitsipas knocked Italian Jannik Sinner out of the tournament in a thrilling five-set match. The athlete won the first two sets and then beat the 15th seed in the final set in three hours and 59 minutes.

Karen Khachanov vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas ... It feels like Khachanov has turned a corner in the last six months, yet no one wants to talk about it. The Russian has ...

We also have an interesting prop to throw a little money on—can Novak win a point in every return game?—as it doesn’t seem too far-fetched and pays out at great odds. [betting on Djokovic](https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/australian-open-tip-sheet-what-s-the-best-way-to-bet-novak-djokovic-as-a-massive) throughout this tournament, because the Serbian has been simply masterful. The Russian has now made it to the semifinals of back-to-back majors—and if not for some key points, he could have beaten Casper Ruud to reach the US Open final. Australian Open Tip Sheet: How we're betting Keys vs. Azarenka and Korda vs. Betting Central

Here's how to watch a Tsitsipas vs Khachanov live stream from anywhere, with the all-court Greek star up against the huge-serving Russian in the first ...

The monthly package comes with a [7-day free trial](https://www.skysportnow.co.nz/) (opens in new tab). It costs $40 a month but you can [get your first month for half-price](https://sling-tv.pxf.io/c/221109/1132376/14334?subId1=trd-us-4227879408543242000&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2F) (opens in new tab). Prices start at $74.99 per month, after a [FREE FuboTV trial](https://geni.us/YkQAuWd) (opens in new tab). [extra 3 months absolutely FREE](https://xvtelink.com/techradar?a_fid=744&data1=trd-us-8632526416599271000&offer=3monthsfree) (opens in new tab). [Use a VPN to watch Tsitsipas vs Khachanov on 9Now from abroad](https://xvtelink.com/go/australian-open-tennis?a_fid=744&data1=trd-us-8144878234000802000&offer=3monthsfree) (opens in new tab) [- Try ExpressVPN 100% risk-free for 30 days](https://xvtelink.com/go/tennis?a_fid=744&data1=trd-us-6109488119280780000&offer=3monthsfree) (opens in new tab) [Sling TV](https://www.techradar.com/news/sling-tv-explained). For the ultimate value, you can get a combined [ESPN+, Hulu and Disney Plus bundle](https://www.techradar.com/news/disney-plus-bundle) for just $13.99 a month, which adds loads of great entertainment and family-friendly content to the mix. [9Now streaming service](https://www.9now.com.au/) (opens in new tab), which is compatible with most smart devices. Australian tennis fans can watch a Tsitsipas vs Khachanov live stream, and all of the tennis from the 2023 Australian Open, on the 9Now streaming service for free. Die-hard tennis fans might want to take a look at Stan Sport, which is live streaming every match on every court, ad-free. Tsitsipas has always been a popular figure in Melbourne, and he's further endeared himself to the crowds over the past week and a half.

Stefanos Tsitsipas will be aiming to reach his first Australian Open final, but has an in-form Karen Khachanov to defeat first in the semi-final.

- Game Tsitsipas: An ace down the T. Players will be entering the court in around an hour. 1:30pm AEDT: Beautiful day in Melbourne today for the first men's semi-final. - 15-0: Serving for the set. Or will the Greek third seed match on to his second? Great start for the Greek. What a match this promises to be. 2:25pm AEDT: Players are close to coming out on court. Gets two smashes back and then wins the point. 2:36pm AEDT: Both players are out on court and warming up. Has two break points. 7(7)

SportsLine tennis expert Jose Onorato has locked in his Australian Open 2023 picks for Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Karen Khachanov on Thursday.

In the first set he won 80% of his first-serve points, and in the second set he won 78%. What is the best bet for Khachanov vs. With his victory over American Sebastian Korda in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, Khachanov again is one win away from playing in his first grand slam final. Tsitsipas has won all five matches between the two, losing just two of 12 sets in the process. By contrast Korda won just 50% of his first serves in the second set. Tsitsipas is a -260 favorite (risk $260 to win $100) in the latest Tsitsipas vs. The 24-year-old Tsitsipas has reached only one grand slam final, losing in the French Open in 2021. The 6-foot-6 Russian had played in 23 grand slam tournaments before reaching his first semifinal, in last year's U.S. But Khachanov has found his form in the majors. Tsitsipas has dominated the series against Khachanov. Meanwhile the 26-year-old Khachanov has never reached a grand slam final and has made only one semifinal (2022 U.S. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas can move one step closer to the first grand slam title of his career when he squares off against Karen Khachanov in the semifinals of the 2023 Australian Open on Thursday at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Despite a few hiccups during his fourth Australian Open semifinal appearance, Stefanos Tsitsipas reaches the tournament decider at Melbourne Park, ...

Tsitsipas served out the set to love, before Khachanov fought back to win the third in a tie-break. Earlier in the match, Tsitsipas — who has Australian Mark Philippoussis as part of his team in Melbourne — had seized control of proceedings in the fourth game of the first set when he broke Khachanov to establish a 3-1 lead. It was pretty much downhill skiing for Tsitsipas from this point, as he was not threatened on his serve for the remainder of the set to wrap up the win. However, Tsitsipas met the challenge and was rewarded for the variety in his game, with solid groundstrokes from the baseline mixed in with successful ventures to the net. It was Khachanov's second consecutive semifinal at a major and he was justified to back his chances, even though he sits 16 places behind Tsitsipas in 20th spot on the world rankings. Should Djokovic advance, it will be the second time he and Tsitsipas have met in the final of a major following the Serb's epic five-set win in the 2021 French Open decider.

Stefanos Tsitsipas defeats Karen Khachanov in Friday's Melbourne semi-finals. The Greek will play for his first Grand Slam title and the World No.

Late in set two, Tsitsipas used the point of the match to bring up 15/40 in the ninth game, retrieving three consecutive Khachanov overheads before claiming a 22-ball rally with a forehand winner. Khachanov was bidding to reach his first Grand Slam final in what was his 24th major appearance. Tsitsipas overcame adversity in the first set, in which he twice led by a break only for Khachanov to immediately level on both occasions. That came back to haunt him as Khachanov extended the match, but the Greek made no mistake the fourth set, clinching victory on his fourth match point. [Novak Djokovic](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/novak-djokovic/d643/overview) or unseeded American [Tommy Paul](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/tommy-paul/pl56/overview) in Sunday's title match. "It's a Grand Slam final, I'm fighting for the No. And always having that ambience in the background somewhere feels so good when I'm able to hit the ball and get such a reward back from the fans." It's a childhood dream to be capturing the No. [Stefanos Tsitsipas](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/stefanos-tsitsipas/te51/overview) will play for his first Grand Slam title and the No. "I thought about how hard I've worked to get into this position, and it takes a little bit more," Tsitsipas said of his mentality entering the fourth set. What looked on course to be his fifth straight-sets win of the fortnight was complicated by a late Khachanov surge. 1 Pepperstone ATP Ranking after he booked his place in the [Australian Open](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/australian-open/580/overview) final with a gritty win against [Karen Khachanov](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/karen-khachanov/ke29/overview).

The No. 3-seeded Tsitsipas had been 0-3 in semifinals at Melbourne Park, but he finally went a step further to get to the second Grand Slam championship match ...

Serving in the fourth set at 5-3, 40-love, his missed a forehand volley on No. Tsitsipas would go on to break to 5-4, helped by a wild point in which he got back three overheads by Khachanov, eliciting roars from the many spectators waving blue-and-white Greek flags. But on the next point, chance No. The serve clock elapsed again at 5-all, love-15, and the second infraction resulted in an automatic fault, prompting Tsitsipas’ father — who coaches him, along with former player Mark Philippoussis — to stand up from his courtside seat. Tsitsipas, though, regained his footing quickly, grabbing a 3-0 lead in the fourth. The No.

The Greek star put his semi-final hopes in jeopardy with consistent infringements that made 'no sense'.

He is lifting in a big way,” Courier said as Tsitsipas consolidated his break of serve to go up 3-1. It didn’t take long for the crowd favourite to skip ahead in the all-important third set. But he recovered to take the game and, when Khachanov held serve in the following game, the pair were forced to go to a tiebreak. He infringed for a third and fourth time in the second set, leaving the commentators baffled. There is absolutely no reason for him to bring the service line into play in the deuce court. “In the second semi-final tonight, we’ll talk a lot about how much more aggressive Novak Djokovic has been with his ground strokes in this tournament, especially once he gets a lead. “There’s no need to be that close to the middle line. He doesn’t need to play the millimetres,” Jim Courier said. Half his foot has crossed the line.” “This is a terrible camera angle. I’m close, I’m happy that this opportunity has come here in Australia and not somewhere else because this is a place of significance (for me). It’s singular.

Australian Open live from Melbourne Park. Stay tuned to see who gets through the men's semi-finals to play for the title.

I had no intention of being caught up in this. “I wish for a great match and I will be cheering for my son, as always.” But Srdjan Djokovic says he had no intention in being caught up in the situation.

'Which I never use': Greek star cracks up crowd with post-match roast of Aussie great.

“There hasn’t been any friction. It’s been going well. “The reason Mark is part of the team is because the dynamic has showed that it’s good,” Tsitsipas said ahead of the semi-final. Live Coverage of ATP + WTA Tour Tournaments including Every Finals Match. Watch Tennis Live with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. Asked by Nine’s Jim Courier what Philippoussis has added to the team, Tsitsipas simply said: “Sense of humour.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas. Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Karen Khachanov to reach the Australian Open men's singles final. Image by Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS. tennis ...

“I feel blessed for the fact that I’m able to play tennis at this level. “I wasn’t able to deliver that on the third set. “I thought how hard I’ve worked to get to this position and it takes a little bit more,” Tsitsipas said after the three-hour, 21-minute battle. It was not all smooth sailing in the semi-final for Tsitsipas, who was twice up a break in the first set before being pegged back and sent to a tiebreaker. I’m close. “These are the moments that I’ve been working hard for; to be able to play in finals like this, but finals that have a bigger meaning than just the final.

The Greek tennis start could leapfrog Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, and Casper Ruud to top the rankings.

"It's a grand slam final. He's here, thank god. I'm close." "I first watched Marcos Baghdatis do it a couple of years ago be in the finals playing in this court and I dreamed as a kid to maybe one day compete on this court against the best players in the world," said Tsitsipas. He's here somewhere." It's one. "I feel blessed for the fact that I'm able to play tennis at this level," said Tsitsipas. It's singular. "I've been wanting for many years to put Greek tennis on the map. It's a childhood dream to be able to be capturing that spot one day. It's the first time Tsitsipas has made it to the Australian Open final having previously made it to the semi finals on four occasions. [Calls for Djokovic's dad to be thrown out of Open](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open-2023-ukraine-ambassador-calls-for-novak-djokovic-father-to-be-banned-from-semi-final/03639b93-9944-464f-a495-4f17de99d575)

Stefanos Tsitsipas is into the men's Australian Open final after beating Russia's Karen Khachanov in four sets.

That sparked a run of four points in his favour to steal the set. “I’m close, and I’m happy this opportunity comes here in Australia and not somewhere else, because this is a place of significance. By the middle of the second set he had foot-faulted so many times it became clear he was confused about which was the offending foot and where it was over-stepping. Melbourne’s big Greek community had their colours on and some held signs reading “The Greek God of tennis” and “No shampoo, only conditioner” in reference to Tsitsipas’s controversial hair-care regime. And always having that ambience in the background somewhere feels so good when I’m able to hit the ball and get such a reward back from the fans.” To a sea of Greek flags and their holders chanting his name, next gen’s nearly man did what he has not quite a few times before.

Stefanos Tsitsipas is into the second major final of his career, the Greek world No.4 surging into Sunday's Australian Open men's decider.

“As a kid, I was very confident ... “I knew that’s a very long journey to get there. Tsitsipas gave a further explanation of his love for Australia, its lifestyle and the people Down Under. I want to recreate that feeling for me,” Tsitsipas said about the ranking. “But I very much believed it. I never thought that I would be treated so well here ... I did finish as a junior number one. I very much believed it. I do this with a lot of ... Even if it doesn’t work, I’m very optimistic and positive about any outcome, any opponent that I have to face. It might not go the way I want it to, but I put 110 per cent out there.” I go about this way.

Stefanos Tsitsipas believes he has never been more ready to claim Grand Slam glory after his semi-final victory on Friday at the Australian Open.

Now I want to do it in the men's side, in men's professional tennis.” I knew that [it would be] a very long journey to get there. “I definitely believe this is something that hasn't been reoccurring. I think this is something that has given me that sort of attitude. It might not go the way I want it to, but I put 110 per cent out there.” I just see no downside or negativity in what I'm trying to do out there,” said the Greek after his 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 semi-final victory against

Stefanos Tsitsipas moved into the Australian Open final on Friday, taking a step towards becoming the first Greek world number one, which the third seed ...

"I did finish as a junior number one. "I knew that's a very long journey to get there. I want to recreate that feeling for me," Tsitsipas, who plays favourite Novak Djokovic or Tommy Paul next, told reporters.

Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the final at the Australian Open for the first time by beating Karen Khachanov 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3 on Friday.

Serving in the fourth set at 5-3, 40-love, his missed a forehand volley on No. Again, Tsitsipas then double-faulted, again to fall behind love-30, but this time he managed to hold serve, and he was by far superior in the ensuing tiebreaker, able to ignore a foot-fault call that came at 3-1. Tsitsipas would go on to break to 5-4, helped by a wild point in which he got back three overheads by Khachanov, eliciting roars from the many spectators waving blue-and-white Greek flags. But on the next point, chance No. Until this week, Paul never had been past the fourth round in 13 previous appearances at major tournaments. Tsitsipas, though, regained his footing quickly, grabbing a 3-0 lead in the fourth. He broke again to lead 2-1 in the third but failed to slam the door shut. Earlier this week, Djokovic said about Tsitsipas: "He has never played a final, am I wrong?" The No. Instead, Tsitsipas -- who lost in the Melbourne semifinals to Nadal in 2019, and to [Novak Djokovic](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=296) or unseeded American [Tommy Paul](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=2964) in the men's singles final on Sunday. [Stefanos Tsitsipas](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=2869) had a harder time strictly following all of the rules than he did outplaying his opponent in the early going, then recovered after blowing two match points late in the third set, and eventually reached the final at the Australian Open for the first time by beating [Karen Khachanov](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=2367) 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3 on Friday.

Stefanos Tsitsipas blazed his way into a first Australian Open final with a 7-6(2) 6-4 6-7(6) 6-3 win over Russian 18th seed Karen Khachanov on Friday.

"I'm fighting for the number one spot. "I had no intention of causing such headlines or disruption. "I'd like that number," Tsitsipas said. Tsitsipas regrouped in the fourth set to go 3-0 up and went on to close out the match in style and claim a place in his second Grand Slam final. The 24-year-old broke Khachanov for a 2-1 lead in the third but the Russian showed great courage to fight back and draw level at 5-5 before it went to a tiebreak. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

Novak Djokovic faces Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open men's singles final, bidding to tie Rafael Nadal's men's Grand Slam titles record.

He got into a bit of a discussion with the chair umpire. That drought will continue for now, because even though Djokovic was not at his best in the opening set, he was good enough at the end of it, breaking in the last game, and never relented. He got broken when serving for the set there. Djokovic saved that, but then another missed backhand provided another break chance to someone playing the biggest match of his life. In the first game, Djokovic flubbed an overhead, a weakness he’s never solved. The serving was so-so. The 25-year-old was born in New Jersey and grew up in North Carolina, playing tennis at a club where the walls were festooned with posters of Andy Roddick — the last American man to win a Grand Slam singles title, way back at the 2003 U.S. The shotmaking was subpar. There was a pause in that string of victories a year ago, of course, when Djokovic was deported from Australia before competition began because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. If he can add one more to go alongside his seven titles at Wimbledon, three at the U.S. 1 in the ATP rankings. 1 there back in 2008, but his father stayed away from this match after getting caught up in a flap connected to spectators who brought banned Russian flags on site earlier in the week.

Novak Djokovic is just one win from a 10th AO title with Stefanos Tsitsipas standing between him and a record-equaling 22nd Grand Slam trophy.

ESPN has the rights in the U.S. Before this run to the Melbourne final his best performance in a slam had been to reach the final at the 2021 French Open, where he was beaten by... The Nine network is broadcasting across it’s various channels. where action is also livestreamed on ESPN+. Tsitsipas has never won a singles Grand Slam title previously. Djokovic has never lost in the final or the semis at the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas will play for the Australian Open title after winning their respective semi-finals at Melbourne Park.

“I’m playing great tennis. I’m enjoying myself. “I wasn’t able to deliver that on the third set. “I thought how hard I’ve worked to get to this position and it takes a little bit more,” Tsitsipas said after the three-hour, 21-minute battle. I’m close. “These are the moments that I’ve been working hard for; to be able to play in finals like this, but finals that have a bigger meaning than just the final.

The men's silverware showdown for Australian Open 2023 is set and there is a date with destiny for both high-flying stars.

[Rafael Nadal](https://www.rolandgarros.com/en-us/players/7792-r.nadal) at the top of the men's Grand Slam Roll of Honour on 22 titles. [Novak Djokovic](https://www.rolandgarros.com/en-us/players/9801-n.djokovic)'s era-defining career continues into another compelling chapter at Australian Open 2023.

Novak Djokovic or Stefanos Tsitsipas is set to steal the No.1 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz in men's singles ...

"For those of you in Australia who haven't gotten a chance to see him play much yet, believe me: you've missed out. "I think that Carlos Alcaraz ... [forcing him to withdraw](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open-2023-carlos-alcaraz-world-no1-withdraws-with-leg-injury/8939e0c1-e988-4f86-b7b0-744ac46eabca). [clicking here](https://login.nine.com.au/login?client_id=wwos&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwwos.nine.com.au&newsletter=true)! [9NOW](https://9now.app.link/fPnKQ6gxndb). [Djokovic overcomes explosion, advances to final](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open-news-2023-novak-djokovic-vs-tommy-paul-semi-final-highlights-results-video-interview-leg-news/a4349c83-8dc1-4288-9562-30a6b446bb2b) [Alcaraz shot to the top](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/carlos-alcaraz-us-open-2022-win-rafael-nadal-impact-spain-production-line/a4fd17a9-2765-465a-9cd5-332eff38d38e) after clinching his first grand slam title at the US Open in September. [Barty move pinched by emerging superstar](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open-2023-coco-gauff-jessica-pegula-doubles-ash-barty-example/4018c702-9451-4778-a27e-6b2b62f4edb3) ['Completely unfair': Tsitsipas breaches unpunished](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open-2023-stefanos-tsitsipas-foot-fault-first-set-karen-khachanov/55268aae-4711-42cb-9c61-c08e2862b9a8) [Novak Djokovic ousted Tommy Paul](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open-news-2023-novak-djokovic-vs-tommy-paul-semi-final-highlights-results-video-interview-leg-news/a4349c83-8dc1-4288-9562-30a6b446bb2b) to set up a men's singles final against Stefanos Tsitsipas at the [Australian Open](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open). Tsitsipas is vying to win his maiden grand slam title and become the world No.1 for the first time, while Djokovic is aiming for his 22nd major title and his first hold on the top ranking since June. [Carlos Alcaraz](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/carlos-alcaraz)is about to be stripped of his maiden hold on the No.1 ranking in men's singles tennis.