STEFANOS TSITSIPAS is confident he will be close to full fitness for this month’s Australian Open after battling through his first major test at the ATP Cup in Sydney today.

The world number four noted some pain during his 6-7 (5) 6-3 6-3 defeat to Diego Schwartzman in his first singles match since withdrawing from last year’s ATP Tour finals and undergoing elbow surgery.

His defeat, despite leading by a set and a break, hastened a 3-0 loss for Greece against Argentina and while Tsitsipas is unsure about competing in his next match tomorrow, he is more positive about his Australian Open chances from January 17.

The two-time Melbourne semi-finalist told the official tournament website: “It was good to see myself perform at such a level. I didn’t expect it.

“It worked out better than I thought. I was able to hit balls that I was scared to hit two weeks ago, so I’m heading towards the right direction.

“It gets better and better every single day almost. We have plenty of time before the Australian Open begins, and I think if I take the right precautions and follow what my doctor says, then I can see myself performing at 100 per cent at the Australian Open.”