Sinner Advances to Quarter-Finals with Dominant Display
Defending champion Jannik Sinner has progressed to the Australian Open quarter-finals with a commanding performance against fellow Italian Luciano Darderi, yet the world No.2 insists his recently remodelled serve still has significant room for improvement. Sinner's 6-1 6-3 7-6 (7-2) victory at Margaret Court Arena on Monday showcased his growing confidence, but the young star remains focused on refining his game.
Record-Breaking Serve Performance
The match saw Sinner deliver a career-best 19 aces, surpassing his previous record of 18 set during his second-round encounter with Australian James Duckworth. This impressive statistic highlights the effectiveness of the technical adjustments made to his service motion during the off-season. "We put a lot of work in, especially with the serve," Sinner revealed post-match. "We changed a bit in motion and I feel for sure a little bit more confident."
Despite this newfound assurance, the four-time major champion maintains a measured perspective. "I feel like there's still room to improve, which is normal, but I'm very happy with how I've come back in the new season," he added, noting that while he served well at the end of last season, his delivery now feels "a bit more stable."
Contrasting Performances Under Pressure
Sinner's controlled performance against Darderi stood in stark contrast to his previous match against American qualifier Eliot Spizzirri, where extreme heat conditions caused cramping and visible discomfort. From the outset against Darderi, Sinner appeared composed and authoritative, breezing through the opening set with minimal resistance.
The second set saw Darderi attempt a more aggressive approach, but the underdog quickly lost momentum, culminating in a racquet-smashing incident that earned him a code violation for ball abuse. Commentary teams noted the psychological pressure, with analysts suggesting Darderi's emotional outburst demonstrated "seeing red" rather than calculated strategy.
Third Set Drama and Tension
After receiving treatment for a left quadriceps injury between sets, Darderi displayed renewed determination in the third, pushing Sinner to survive four break points at 4-4. The tension escalated when Darderi took issue with Sinner gesturing to a fan to remain quiet between serves during a crucial game.
"There's a bit of byplay here between these two," observed commentator John Fitzgerald, with colleague Colin Fleming noting Sinner was "just disrupting the rhythm a little." The atmosphere grew increasingly charged, with commentators detecting "a little bit of small animosity building" between the compatriots.
Sinner eventually closed out the match in a tiebreak, recovering from 0-2 down to claim seven consecutive points. "It was very, very difficult," Sinner admitted. "First of all, we are good friends off the court. It's also that difficulty to also put away."
Tactical Adaptations and Looking Ahead
The victory extends Sinner's winning streak at Melbourne Park to 18 matches, reinforcing his status as tournament favourite. However, the match required tactical versatility as Darderi refused to surrender easily. "I try to go a bit more to the net and being slightly more unpredictable, which today I think worked really, really well," Sinner explained of his adjusted approach.
Despite the straight-sets result, Sinner acknowledged the challenge of facing a friend and compatriot, praising Darderi's fighting spirit. The pair ultimately shared a warm embrace at the net, with Fitzgerald noting "not easy to play your countryman."
Sinner now awaits the winner of the late match between American eighth seed Ben Shelton and Norwegian 12th seed Casper Ruud, with a quarter-final berth secured and his serve continuing to evolve as a potent weapon in his championship defence.
