2021 Australian Open: Rafael Nadal was upset by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals

Rafael Nadal is almost as automatic as getting a major lead, but that didn’t happen in Wednesday’s Australian Open quarter-finals. Despite a two-set lead, Nadal was upset with No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas finishing 3-6, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the five-set affair. It’s just the second time Nadal has lost in a 22-game losing streak in two sets.

Fabio Fognini overcame a two-week deficit to defeat Nadal at the 2015 US Open. Tsitsipas won the last three sets to advance to the finals, with Daniil Medvedev facing off on Friday.

“I have no words to describe what just happened on the court, my tennis speaks for itself” Tsitsipas said after the match. “It’s an incredible feeling to fight at such a high level and be left on the court. I started to get very nervous. I don’t know what happened after the third set. I flew like a bird and everything was worth it to me.”

In the process, Nadal missed an opportunity for history. The Spaniard had a chance to win the 21st Grand Prix. This would definitely break the tie between Roger Federer and him.

Prior to Wednesday, Nadal had not lost a set all the way to the quarter-finals in Melbourne. That all changed in the third set when Tsitsipas found his niche. In the fourth set, Tsitsipas continued to find calm and Nadal was forced to defend several breaking points.

Tsitsipas will now face Medvedev in the semi-finals, and Novak Djokovic will take on Asian Karatsev in another semi-final match.