Mon Jan 13 21:03:16 UTC 2025: ## Tsitsipas’ Australian Open Campaign Ends in First-Round Upset
**Melbourne, Australia** – Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 2023 Australian Open runner-up, suffered a shock first-round exit at this year’s tournament, losing to American Alex Michelsen in straight sets. The 11th seed attributed his defeat to a case of “karma,” citing his decision to withdraw from the doubles competition alongside his brother, Petros, in order to focus on the singles event.
“My whole idea was to try to go deep. I knew the first thing I had to consider was not playing doubles,” Tsitsipas explained. “The whole purpose was just to save up on some energy… I guess karma hit me.”
Tsitsipas, a long-time Grand Slam contender who reached the Melbourne final two years ago and the French Open final in 2021 (both losing to Novak Djokovic), expressed his disappointment, highlighting the extended period of inactivity now facing him. “The most frustrating part about losing in the first round of a Grand Slam is that you have way too much time to recover,” he stated.
Elsewhere in the tournament, several top players advanced. World number one Jannik Sinner defeated Nicolas Jarry, while Carlos Alcaraz cruised past Alexander Shevchenko, moving closer to becoming the youngest ever Grand Slam winner. Tommy Paul overcame Christopher O’Connell in a five-set thriller, and Frances Tiafoe battled through illness to secure his second-round berth. Grigor Dimitrov, however, became the first top-10 player to exit the tournament after retiring injured.
First Piper 