Jannik Sinner secured his place in the Australian Open quarter-finals after defeating fellow Italian Luciano Darderi at the Margaret Court Arena. Despite a brief performance dip, Sinner managed to regain control and win the match 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(2). This victory marked his 18th consecutive win at the Australian Open and extended his overall winning streak to 19 matches since his last defeat in October.
In their first tour-level encounter, Sinner dominated early on with strong serving and consistent pressure, claiming the first two sets swiftly. However, Darderi put up a fight, intensifying his game in the third set by attacking aggressively from the baseline. Despite creating break points and leading in the tie-break, Sinner’s determination shone through as he won seven consecutive points to seal the match.
With 46 winners, including 19 aces, Sinner showcased a blend of power and efficiency throughout the two-hour, nine-minute match. This victory also maintained his flawless record against Italian opponents at 18-0 in tour-level matches. Advancing to his fourth Australian Open quarter-final, Sinner joins the ranks of players like Grigor Dimitrov, Kei Nishikori, and Stefanos Tsitsipas in terms of quarter-final appearances.
Sinner’s next challenge in the quarter-finals will be against either Ben Shelton or Casper Ruud as he aims to secure his third consecutive Australian Open title, a feat achieved only once before in the Open Era by Novak Djokovic.
