Aus Open QF: Jannik Sinner experienced a short dip in performance but quickly regained control to secure his spot in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Monday, defeating fellow Italian Luciano Darderi here at the Margaret Court Arena.
Sinner, who suffered cramp in Saturday’s conditions during that four-set victory over the American Eliot Spizzirri, raised his game when it mattered to beat fellow Italian Luciano Darderi 6-1 6-3 7-6(2). The 2024 and 2025 champion has now won 18 Australian Open matches in a row and took his overall win streak to 19 contests since his most recent defeat in Shanghai last October.
In their first tour-level meeting, Sinner established an early lead with powerful serving and continuous pressure, winning the first two sets quickly. Darderi, however, did not give up easily. The 22-year-old intensified his play late in the third set, attacking the baseline aggressively to create four break points at 4-4 and then taking control with a strong performance in the tie-break, leading 2-0.
