Tsitsipas winning vision fails to materialise in Perth

The winning pre-match vision of Stefanos Tsitsipas failed to come true on Wednesday, as Greece lost 2-1 to the defending champion US on Wednesday to exit in the United Cup quarter-finals.

The tie in Perth came down to the deciding final set of the mixed doubles rubber, which was ended by a drilled return from Christian Harrison which handed the US a 2-1 win after claiming the mixed rubber 4-6, 6-4, 10-8.

Tsitsipas said he played his upcoming singles match against Taylor Fritz in his mind before falling asleep the night before.

While he defeated the Californian 6-4, 7-5, the mixed doubles with Maria Sakkari proved to be the team’s eventual downfall.

“Putting that much effort on the court, it’s something I was visualizing last night before going to bed,” he said. 

“I was playing the match in my mind. I’m happy it went exactly the way I planned it to go.

“I was especially pleased with my serve and how I dealt with pressure moments.
I had a really clear head in my execution and my game plan.”

Tsitsipas, who missed the closing months of last season with injury, has started 2026 on form, winning three straight marches for the first time since last March,when he went on a nine-match winning streak.

“I tried my best. I was fighting for the team. It was such a great match from my end. 

“Having my teammates by my side is extremely special. I was running out of energy towards the end. They kept me going.”

World No. 4 Coco Gauff started the US off with a win as she defeated Sakkari 6-3, 6-2 before Tsitsipas levelled for Greece.

The Greeks fought hard to come back from 1-6 down in the deciding tiebreak set of the mixed but lost as Harrison drilled a volley winner past Tsitsipas to send the American to the semi-finals in Sydney at the 18-nation event.

“We had a great level throughout,” Gauff said after her fifth career win in United Cup doubles. “We played free and aggressive. 

“Greece were not easy, so I’m happy we could make it through.”

Photos:-Stefanos Tsitsipas in action during Quarter Final loss to USA – by Tennis Australia/Getty