Printable Page
01/26 07:10 CST Sinner extends winning streak to 18 at Australian Open,
advances to quarterfinals
Sinner extends winning streak to 18 at Australian Open, advances to
quarterfinals
By JOHN PYE
AP Sports Writer
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) --- Jannik Sinner wasn't shaky or lucky to survive
this time and the only thing really hot on Monday was his streak, which now
stands at 18 straight wins at the Australian Open.
The two-time defending champion had a 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (2) win over fellow Italian
Luciano Darderi to reach the quarterfinals for a ninth consecutive Grand Slam
event.
Sinner struggled two days previously with the extreme heat and cramping in the
afternoon win over No. 85-ranked Eliot Spizzirri, when he only took control
after the roof was closed.
In an evening match in cooler conditions, Sinner was cruising until Darderi
lifted his tempo in the third set. Second-ranked Sinner missed match points in
the 10th game on Darderi's serve but then took it up a notch in the tiebreaker.
"I felt quite good out there physically. Everything was okay today," said
Sinner, who had limited practice on his off day between his third and
fourth-round matches. "Let's see what's coming in the next round."
It'll be a familiar foe. No. 8-seeded Ben Shelton beat No. 12 Casper Ruud 3-6,
6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in a night match on Rod Laver Arena.
Sinner has won his last eight meetings with the 23-year-old American, including
their semifinal here last year.
"I have a lot more that I want to do here, and I've got a lot to prove,"
Shelton said. "I'll be ready to go."
Sinner, toward the end of his first official head-to-head with Darderi, had to
improve to handle the sudden increased speeds of his rival's forehand.
Darderi saved two match points on his serve in the 10th game of the third set
and took the first two points of the tiebreaker. He had to pause for a few
moments then before serving because of a baby crying in the crowd at Margaret
Court Arena.
He didn't win another point. Sinner reeled off the next seven to triumph in 2
hours and nine minutes.
It extended Sinner's unbeaten streak to 18 against other Italians on tour.
"It was very, very difficult. We're good friends off the court," Sinner said.
"Third set I had some break chances, I couldn't use them. I got tight, so very
happy I closed it in three sets."
Sinner had 19 aces --- a personal record --- and no double-faults. He also
wanted to emphasize some minor changes to his game, including going to the net
and trying to mix up his game.
In a tough hold in the third set, Sinner saved a breakpoint by changing the
direction of the rally with a forehand drop shot, bending his knees low, and
winning a crucial point. With a serve-and-volley, he held the game.
"Still room to improve, but very happy with how I've come back," he said. "Now
for sure, it (the serve) is a bit more stable. I try to go more to the net and
being more unpredictable."
The left-handed Shelton will throw everything he can at Sinner, who is aiming
to become the fifth man in the Open era to win three straight Australian titles.
Shelton is into the quarterfinals for the third time in four years.
"I'm definitely a competitor. I'm rowdy on the court. I look forward to rowdy
crowds," he said. "And down here in Australia, there's no shortage."
Shelton said he's a more "locked in" player than he was 12 months ago and he's
growing in confidence.
"It's what you look forward to the most in this sport," he said. "It's where I
wanted to be. I wanted to give myself another shot. Leave it all out on the
court." -__
More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
|
