Tennis
Sinner cruises into Australian Open semi-finals─── MORGAN PIEK 14:49 Wed, 22 Jan 2025
World number one and defending champion Jannik Sinner has breezed into the semi-finals of the Australian Open, being played in Melbourne.
On Wednesday, the Italian hardly broke a sweat at the Rod Laver Arena as he outclassed local favourite Alex de Minaur of Australia with a clinical 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 victory.
Earlier in the day, Ben Shelton of the USA reached the semi-finals for the first time with a 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 win against Lorenzo Sonego of Italy. The former US Open semi-finalist will face Sinner in the last four.
Jannik Sinner est sur une série de 9 victoires consécutives contre des Top 10 sans perdre un set !
— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) January 22, 2025
Le n°1 mondial mène désormais 10-0 dans ses confrontations avec Alex De Minaur et il a gagné les 20 derniers sets contre l'Australien.pic.twitter.com/Y1BeGj6ald
Sinner, who has reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the fifth time, emphasized the importance of taking control of the match early.
“On days like these, when you break early in each set, it’s a little bit easier,” said Sinner.
“He’s a tough competitor and an amazing player. These kinds of matches can go quickly, but they can change very fast if I drop my level a little bit and he takes his opportunities, so I’m very happy with my performance today.”
Women’s singles
The men’s semi-finals will be played on Friday, with Novak Djokovic facing Alexander Zverev, while Sinner takes on Shelton.
Meanwhile, in the women’s singles, former world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland and Madison Keys of the USA advanced to the semi-finals.
In the first quarter-final this morning, Keys reached the semi-finals for the third time after coming from behind to beat Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
MADISON KEYS!
— Barstool Tennis (@StoolTennis) January 22, 2025
The 29 year old American makes her third Australian Open semi-final
She aims to make her first Slam Final since the 2017 US Open pic.twitter.com/skZLGXmOD8
In the other quarter-final, Swiatek was ruthless as she dismantled Emma Navarro of the USA 6-1, 6-2.
Reflecting on reaching her third semi-final down under, Keys, said she is starting to appreciate what she has achieved, albeit, a first Grand Slam title remains the dream.
“I think I’m, one, getting to the point where I’m starting to appreciate my career for what it has been, and it doesn’t have to have a Grand Slam in order for me to look at it and say, I’ve done a really good job, and I’ve really left everything out there.”
On Thursday, Keys will face Swiatek, while defending champion and world number one Aryna Sabalenka will take on Paula Badosa.
