 "Jannik Sinner is aiming to win his second Australian Open title. Image: Reuters")
Defending champion Jannik Sinner breezed past eighth seed Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 on Wednesday to secure a spot in the Australian Open semi-finals, prolonging the host nation’s decades-long wait for another homegrown singles champion.
The Italian Sinner, who had his Grand Slam breakthrough at last year’s Melbourne Park tournament, will now face American 21st seed Ben Shelton. With two major titles already under his belt, including the US Open crown in September, Sinner has his sights set on a third.
Besides Sinner and Shelton, Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys also reached the women’s semi-finals on Wednesday.
De Minaur’s ambitious bid ended
Defeat extinguished local favourite De Minaur’s ambitious bid to end Australia’s 49-year wait for a men’s champion since Mark Edmondson’s triumph but fans at a packed Rod Laver Arena gave him a standing ovation for his valiant effort.
“I feel like today I was feeling everything,” Sinner said.
“When you break so early in each set it’s a bit easier. But he’s a tough competitor, an amazing player. So many people came here for him tonight, but it was an amazing atmosphere.
“We know each other quite well. We played so many times, we know each other’s game so we try to prepare in the best possible way. These matches can go quickly, but things can change fast.”
De Minaur had a mountain to climb from the start, with the 25-year-old needing a maiden victory over Sinner in their 10th meeting to become the first man from his nation to reach the Melbourne semi-finals since Lleyton Hewitt two decades ago.
The early exchanges were encouraging and resembled a game of pinball with some big baseline hitting from both players, before Sinner broke for a 3-1 lead that laid the platform for the 23-year-old to clinch the opening set.
Sinner recovers from illness in time
Sinner showed no signs of the illness that made him struggle in his last match as he broke early in the second set, hitting a spectacular swatted crosscourt forehand winner along the way to leave his opponent looking a little demoralised.
“Yesterday was an easy day, I played just 30-40 minutes with my coaches (in practice),” Sinner said.
“They gave me a good rhythm. I feel when you’re young, you recover fast. It’s a bit different. I really like to sleep, so I rested in the best possible way to recover and try to be ready.”
De Minaur responded positively to earn a break point but top seed Sinner slammed the door shut and left the Australian with a quizzical look at times, as he comfortably doubled his advantage in the match on the back of flawless serving.
There was no looking back for Sinner when he breezed through the first three games of the third set playing lights-out tennis and he quickly wrapped up the match, finishing it off with one final break of serve.
Shelton reached the Aus Open semi-final after beating Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) in a match full of shotmaking.
Swiatek locks in Keys semi-final
Swiatek booked her second Australian Open semi-final with another spectacular display. Polish world number two Swiatek mowed down eighth seed Emma Navarro 6-1 6-2 at Rod Laver Arena and faces another American in Madison Keys, who overhauled Elina Svitolina 3-6 6-3 6-4.
With agency inputs