Jannik Sinner displayed his championship form on Wednesday night at the Australian Open, overpowering local favorite Alex de Minaur with style. The world No. 1 secured his spot in the semi-finals after delivering an impressive 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 quarter-final victory at Rod Laver Arena, maintaining his bid to defend his title successfully.
Entering the match, Sinner had already proven his dominance over de Minaur, with the pair previously meeting nine times and Sinner dropping only one set. It was no surprise then when Sinner executed his game plan with ruthless efficiency, completing the match within one hour and 48 minutes. “I feel like today I was feeling everything,” Sinner reflected on his performance. “On days like this, when you break quite early in each set, it’s a little bit easier.”
The match started with Sinner quickly gaining the upper hand, breaking de Minaur's serve early. From there, he maintained pressure, not dropping his form as he powered through each set. With ten break points earned, he converted six, showcasing his relentless baseline hitting and tactical prowess against his rival.
Despite the significant challenge posed by de Minaur, who had reached the quarter-finals for the first time at his home major, Sinner’s performance was reminiscent of the strong play he had showcased throughout the tournament. De Minaur, who has been striving for his own spot atop the tennis world, expressed his disappointment after the match, acknowledging the weight of expectations on his shoulders. “The whole country wanted me to do well. I wanted to do well here,” he said. “I would have loved to do more today, but this is what happens sometimes in tennis.”
De Minaur's defeat underscored the uphill battle he faced, especially since he had yet to overcome Sinner after ten attempts. He attributed part of the challenge to Sinner's relentless style and mentioned the need for strategic adjustments moving forward. “I need to sit with my team and figure out how to hurt Jannik on the court. That’s how we've got to look at it and find different ways, because at the moment we don’t have it,” he added, highlighting the need for growth and learning from tough matches.
On the other side of the draw, Ben Shelton was busy making headlines of his own. The rising American star reached the semi-finals for the second time, defeating Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4). Shelton's match was filled with its own moments of brilliance, including some playful push-ups after his fall during the intense match, igniting cheers from the crowd.
“I’m relieved,” said Shelton, reflecting on the hard-fought victory. This semi-final against Sinner marks Shelton's first match against Sinner since his lone victory against the Italian at the Shanghai Masters. Since then, Sinner has triumphed on four separate occasions.
Both players are set for what promises to be an electrifying semi-final on Friday, January 24, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Sinner is on the hunt for his third major title after his triumph at the US Open last September. “He is one of the best servers on tour,” Sinner said when assessing Shelton's game, highlighting the challenges he might face. “Lefty. Different rotation of the ball…hopefully, I’m ready.”
With the crowd set to rally behind the players once again at the iconic Rod Laver Arena, the anticipation builds for what could be one of their most exciting encounters yet. The victor will secure their place in the final, where they will face either the seasoned Novak Djokovic or rising talent Alexander Zverev.
For fans of the sport, Sinner’s dominating win over de Minaur serves as yet another reminder of the depth of talent on display this year at the Australian Open. Especially after enduring some physical setbacks during prior matches, Sinner's seamless recovery has added to the narrative of his stellar performance this tournament.
The road to the finale is filled with challenges, and both Sinner and Shelton will bring their best games as they vie for the coveted title and the glory of winning at one of tennis's most prestigious events. All eyes will be on Melbourne as the next chapter of this thrilling tournament continues to unfurl.