Sinner Overcomes Darderi’s Late Fightback in Melbourne
Jannik Sinner turned a tense third set into a commanding win over Luciano Darderi at the Australian Open, advancing to the quarterfinals with his serve firing on all cylinders and eyes on a potential semifinal clash.
In the humid buzz of Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, Jannik Sinner dismantled fellow Italian Luciano Darderi with ruthless efficiency, securing a 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(2) victory that propelled him into the Australian Open quarterfinals for the fourth time. The No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings unleashed 46 winners, including 19 aces, to dominate from the baseline and keep any lingering doubts from his previous cramping episode at bay. This straight-sets dispatch extended his perfect 18-0 tour-level record against countrymen, a streak that underscores his unyielding edge in these matchups.
Shadows of vulnerability crept in during the third set, where Darderi mounted a fierce push with flat crosscourt backhands that forced Sinner into longer rallies on the hard courts. At 4-4, four break points materialized as the younger Italian’s aggression tested the top seed’s depth and placement, echoing the physical strain Sinner endured against Eliot Spizzirri in the prior round—a match in which he later admitted he “got lucky” with a timely roof closure. Yet Sinner’s composure held, his inside-out forehands finding lines to reset the momentum.
“It was very difficult. We are good friends off the court, that’s also a small difficulty to put away,” Sinner said of Darderi. “In the third set I had a couple of break chances, [but] I couldn’t use them… Then I got very tight, so I’m very happy that I closed it in three sets.”
Late surge meets firm resistance
Darderi seized an early 2-0 lead in the tie-break, his heavy topspin replies pushing Sinner back and drawing errors on the slick surface. The crowd’s rising energy amplified the stakes in this maiden ATP Head2Head, with Melbourne’s pace favoring quick transitions that Darderi exploited briefly. But Sinner flipped the script, reeling off seven straight points through precise down-the-line serves and a one–two pattern that neutralized the threat.
Simply too good @janniksin defeats compatriot Darderi to reach the quarter-finals for the fourth time.@AustralianOpen | #AO26 pic.twitter.com/LVdNyAZeO4
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 26, 2026
The two-hour, nine-minute battle highlighted Sinner’s tactical poise, as he varied slice approaches to disrupt Darderi’s rhythm and converted short balls into winners. This response not only snuffed out the comeback but reinforced his adaptation to the Australian Open‘s demanding conditions, where low bounces demand flawless execution. With the victory, he drew level with Grigor Dimitrov, Kei Nishikori, and Stefanos Tsitsipas for the fourth-most quarterfinal appearances among active players.
Serve tweaks fuel confidence boost
Central to Sinner’s authority was the refined serve motion he debuted this season, adding stability to his toss and delivery for those 19 aces that pinned Darderi deep. On these hard courts, the adjustment minimized second-serve vulnerabilities, setting up inside-in forehands that stretched the court wide. It carried over the end-of-2025 form where his serving peaked, now stabilizing his early 2026 campaign amid the title defense.
“We put a lot of work in, especially with the serve,” Sinner added. “We changed the motion a bit and I feel for sure a little bit more confident. There is still room to improve, which is normal, but I’m very happy with how I have come back in the new season. At the end of last season, I served really well, [and] it’s much more stable.”
The efficiency shone through in his blend of power and placement, avoiding the drama that plagued his Spizzirri clash and keeping fitness questions sidelined. Darderi’s surge had exposed momentary tightness, but Sinner’s baseline dictation—clean timing on returns and varied angles—reasserted control. As the arena’s echoes faded, his undefeated Italian streak stood taller, a quiet pillar in his Melbourne march.
Quarterfinal fire awaits Shelton
Next, Sinner collides with Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals, a showdown of booming serves and raw athleticism that could preview a semifinal blockbuster. Both sit one win from facing Novak Djokovic, with Sinner chasing the rare feat of three straight Australian Open titles only the Serb has matched among men. Shelton’s lefty spin will challenge Sinner’s returns, but the Italian’s recent tweaks position him to dictate from the outset.
The path forward tests Sinner’s evolution, from early jitters to this assertive close, as Melbourne’s hard courts reward his precision amid the pressure. Crowd roars in those final tie-break points mirrored his internal shift, fueling a deep run that blends mental steel with tactical sharpness. With rankings points in sight and history beckoning, Sinner’s game feels primed for the storm ahead.
