Tennis – Australian Open 2025 – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 22, 2025 Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates after winning his quarter-final match against Alex de Minaur of Australia. REUTERS/Edgar Su
MELBOURNE – Defending champion Jannik Sinner brushed aside eighth seed Alex de Minaur 6-3 6-2 6-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open and extend the country’s decades-long wait for another local Grand Slam singles winner on Wednesday.
Italian Sinner, whose Grand Slam breakthrough came at last year’s tournament at Melbourne Park, will face 21st-seeded American Ben Shelton, aiming for a third major trophy after also winning the US Open title in September.
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The defeat extinguished local favorite De Minaur’s ambitious bid to end Australia’s 49-year wait for a men’s champion since Mark Edmondson’s triumph, but fans in a packed Rod Laver Arena gave him a standing ovation for his valiant effort.
“I feel like today I felt everything,” Sinner said.
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“When you break so early in each set, it’s a little easier. But he’s a tough competitor, an incredible player. A lot of people came here for him tonight, but it was an incredible atmosphere.
Tennis – Australian Open 2025 – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 22, 2025 Italian Jannik Sinner after winning his quarter-final against Australian Alex de Minaur. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas
“We know each other quite well. We have played so many times, we know each other’s game so we try to prepare in the best way possible. These matches can go quickly, but things can change quickly.
De Minaur had a mountain to climb from the start, with the 25-year-old needing an opening win over Sinner in their 10th meeting to become the first man from his country to reach the Melbourne semi-finals since Lleyton Hewitt he two decades ago.
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The early rallies were encouraging and resembled a game of pinball with big baseline strikes from both players, before Sinner took a 3-1 lead which laid the foundation for the 23-year-old to win the first set.
Sinner showed no signs of the illness that had him struggling in his last match as he broke down early in the second set, hitting a spectacular crosscourt forehand along the way to leave his opponent a little demoralized.
“Yesterday was an easy day, I only played 30-40 minutes with my coaches (in practice),” Sinner said.
“They gave me a good rhythm. I have the impression that when you are young, you recover quickly. It’s a little different. I really like to sleep, so I rested in the best way possible to recover and try to be ready.
De Minaur responded positively to earn a break point, but top seed Sinner slammed the door and left the Australian with a quizzical look at times, as he comfortably doubled his advantage in the match thanks to a clean serve. flaw.
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There was no looking back for Sinner as he went through the first three games of the third set playing lights-out tennis and he quickly wrapped up the match, finishing it with a final break of serve.
