Italy’s Jannik Sinner powered past Australia’s Alex de Minaur in straight sets on Wednesday, securing his spot in the Australian Open semifinals with a commanding 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 victory.
Sinner’s impressive performance not only halted de Minaur’s quest to end Australia’s 49-year wait for a homegrown men’s singles champion but also showcased why he is considered one of the rising stars in tennis.
“I felt everything was working for me today,” Sinner, 23, said after the match. “Breaking early in each set made things easier, but Alex is a tough competitor. The atmosphere was amazing with so many people supporting him.”
Despite the loss, fans at Rod Laver Arena applauded de Minaur, 25, for his valiant effort as he sought to become the first Australian man to reach the Melbourne semifinals since Lleyton Hewitt two decades ago.
The match began with intense baseline rallies, but Sinner seized an early advantage by breaking de Minaur’s serve for a 3-1 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the contest.
Showing no signs of the illness that troubled him in his previous match, Sinner dominated with powerful groundstrokes and impeccable serving. A spectacular crosscourt forehand in the second set left de Minaur visibly frustrated.
“Yesterday was about rest and light practice,” Sinner added. “When you’re young, you recover quickly. I focused on being ready, and it paid off today.”
Sinner will face American 21st seed Ben Shelton in the semifinals, aiming for his third Grand Slam title after victories at Melbourne Park last year and the U.S. Open in September.
With this win, Sinner continues to cement his place among tennis’s elite, while de Minaur looks ahead to future tournaments with determination.
Reference(s):
Sublime Sinner stops De Minaur and reaches Australian Open semifinals
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