Tsitsipas hopes to be mentally ready for 'legend' Federer

Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas said he would need to be at the peak of his mental strength against six-times Australian Open champion Roger Federer after his hopes of avoiding the "legend" of the sport in the fourth round were dashed.

Seeded 14th in Melbourne, the 20-year-old Tsitsipas beat Georgia's Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3 3-6 7-6(7) 6-4 on Friday to reach the last 16 at a Grand Slam for the second time after making the same stage at last year's Wimbledon.

Federer was still playing his match against American Taylor Fritz at the Rod Laver Arena when Tsitsipas was asked in his court-side interview who he was cheering for.

The Greek, understandably, was rooting for a Fritz win to avoid facing the 20-times Grand Slam champion.

The pair played in the Hopman Cup recently, where the Swiss won 7-6(5) 7-6(4).

"I learned a lot since my last match with him. I know...