Jannik Sinner powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals as remarkable unbeaten run continues
Jannik Sinner powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals with a commanding straight-sets triumph over compatriot Luciano Darderi on Monday.
The world number one dispatched the 22nd seed 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) at Margaret Court Arena, maintaining his flawless record against Italian opponents.
The victory extended Sinner’s remarkable unbeaten run at Melbourne Park to 18 consecutive matches as he continues his pursuit of history.
The 24-year-old is aiming to become only the second man, after Novak Djokovic, to claim three successive Australian Open crowns.
Sinner raced through the opening set in just 27 minutes, storming to a 5-0 lead before Darderi finally registered on the scoreboard.
The four-time major champion finished with an impressive 46 winners.
The defending champion admitted he was “lucky” to still be in the tournament following his gruelling third-round encounter with American Eliot Spizzirri on Saturday.
Sinner battled through 40C temperatures and severe cramping during that testing four-set contest against the world number 85.
Jannik Sinner powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals with a commanding straight-sets triumph over compatriot Luciano Darderi
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Only a break in play to close the roof over the court prevented what would have been a stunning upset.
The Italian looked visibly refreshed against Darderi, surging through the first two sets while conceding just four games.
However, some signs of lingering fatigue emerged late in the third set when his opponent mounted greater resistance.
After securing his place in the last eight, Sinner said: “It was very, very difficult. We are good friends off the court.”
The victory extended Sinner’s remarkable unbeaten run at Melbourne Park to 18 consecutive matches
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Sinner’s serve proved particularly devastating, with his 19 aces marking a career-best single-match tally for the four-time Grand Slam winner.
The Italian has worked extensively on remodelling his service motion during the off-season, and the results are clearly paying dividends.
Sinner explained: “We put a lot of work in, especially with the serve. We changed a bit in motion and I feel for sure a little bit more confident.”
The world number one believes further improvements remain possible despite his impressive form.
Sinner will next face either American eighth seed Ben Shelton or Norwegian 12th seed Casper Ruud
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He added: “I feel like there’s still room to improve, which is normal, but I’m very happy with how I’ve come back in the new season.
“Because at the end of last season I served very well, but now it’s for sure a bit more stable.”
Darderi, who appeared to be struggling with a thigh problem, received treatment before the third set and grew increasingly frustrated as the match progressed.
The 22nd seed smashed his racquet and received a code violation for ball abuse after dropping serve in the second set.
Five facts for tennis fans | GETTY/PADespite his physical difficulties, Darderi refused to surrender and created four break point opportunities at 4-4 in the deciding set.
Sinner held firm under pressure before taking control of the tiebreak, recovering from 0-2 down to reel off seven consecutive points.
The champion said: “I tried to raise my level. I started off very well the match and also how I closed with some really important pressure points.”
Sinner will next face either American eighth seed Ben Shelton or Norwegian 12th seed Casper Ruud.
