Top 5 Photos, 2/17: Tsitsipas pulls off unlikely Nadal win



Rafael Nadal's bid for a 21st Grand Slam came to a halt, while Jennifer Brady came out on top in an All-American battle. These are the Top 5 Photos for Wednesday.

1

Stefanos Tsistsipas defied the odds when he came back from two sets down to defeat Rafael Nadal,  3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-5, to reach the semifinals. The 22-year-old Greek is the third player to ever beat the Spaniard after going down by two sets (after Roger Federer and Fabio Fognini).

Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates after victory against Spain's Rafael Nadal during their men's singles quarter-final match on day ten of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on February 17, 2021. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images

2

Nadal had been dealing with a back injury that's plagued him his entire stay in Australia, though all credit goes to Tsitsipas for playing lights out the final three sets.

"I think my physical hold quite well,” Nadal said. “Is true that I probably need a little bit more time because is true that I was in great shape and for 20 days I was not able to practice the way that I expected, not able to play one single match in ATP Cup.”

Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas (L) and Spain's Rafael Nadal greet each other after their men's singles quarter-final match on day ten of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on February 17, 2021. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images

3

Taking on good friend Jessica Pegula, Brady fought back from a set deficit to reach her second career Grand Slam semifinal, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. The feat is all the more impressive since Brady was one of the 72 players in hard lockdown.

Jennifer Brady (L) of the US gives a hug Jessica Pegula of the US after winning her women's singles quater-final match on day ten of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on February 17, 2021. (Photo by David Gray / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images

4

Though she was struggling with the heat, Karolina Muchova stormed back for a huge upset over world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, 1-6 6-3, 6-2. The Czech is into her first career Grand Slam semifinal where Brady awaits.

Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova reacts after winning against Australia's Ashleigh Barty during their women's singles quarter-final match on day ten of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on February 17, 2021. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images

5

Daniil Medvedev made quick work of his friend and compatriot Andrey Rublev, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2. The Russian will next take on Tsitsipas as he seeks his second career Grand Slam final appearance.

Russia's Daniil Medvedev uses an ice towel between the games during the men's singles quarter-final match against Russia's Andrey Rublev on day ten of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on February 17, 2021. (Photo by David Gray / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images