Defending champion Jannik Sinner delivered a masterful performance at the Australian Open on Wednesday, dispatching Australia's Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 to secure his place in the semifinals.
The Italian, whose Grand Slam breakthrough came at Melbourne Park last year, showcased his dominance on Rod Laver Arena, extending his winning streak and keeping his title defense alive. Sinner will next face American 21st seed Ben Shelton as he eyes a third major title after also lifting the U.S. Open trophy in September.
The defeat dashed local favorite de Minaur's ambitious bid to become the first Australian men's singles champion since Mark Edmondson in 1976. Despite the loss, the 25-year-old received a standing ovation from the home crowd, who appreciated his valiant effort against the formidable Sinner.
\"I felt like everything was working today,\" Sinner said after the match. \"Breaking early in each set made things a bit easier. Alex is a tough competitor and an amazing player. The atmosphere was fantastic with so many people supporting him. We know each other's games well, so preparing for the match was crucial. Matches like this can change quickly, but today I managed to maintain my level.\"
De Minaur faced an uphill battle from the start, needing to break his nine-match losing streak against Sinner to reach the semifinals—a feat last achieved by an Australian man, Lleyton Hewitt, two decades ago.
The match began with intense baseline rallies, resembling a high-speed game of pinball. Sinner secured a crucial break for a 3-1 lead in the first set, setting the tone for the remainder of the match.
Showing no signs of the illness that troubled him in his previous match, Sinner dominated the second set. A spectacular crosscourt forehand winner left de Minaur looking demoralized, as the Italian displayed impeccable serving to double his advantage.
\"Yesterday was an easy day,\" Sinner explained regarding his recovery. \"I practiced just 30-40 minutes with my coaches. They gave me a good rhythm. When you're young, you recover fast. I really like to sleep, so I rested as much as possible to be ready.\"
De Minaur tried to mount a comeback, earning a break point in the second set, but Sinner shut the door, leaving the Australian with few answers. The top seed continued his relentless play into the third set, racing to a 3-0 lead and ultimately sealing the match with another service break.
Sinner's victory sets up an exciting semifinal clash with Ben Shelton as he continues his quest for another Grand Slam title.
Reference(s):
Sublime Sinner stops De Minaur and reaches Australian Open semifinals
cgtn.com
