Jannik Sinner delivered a tennis masterclass on Wednesday, dismantling Australian favorite Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 to storm into the Australian Open semifinals. The defending champion needed just one hour and 48 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to extend his dominance over De Minaur, securing his 10th consecutive victory against the eighth seed.
“I feel like today I was feeling everything,” Sinner said post-match, flashing a rare smile. “Breaking early in each set made it easier, but credit to Alex; he’s a tough competitor and an amazing player.”
Sinner, 23, showed no signs of the physical struggles that troubled him in the fourth round. The Italian’s precision, power, and confidence were on full display as he struck 27 winners against just 19 unforced errors and converted six of 10 break points. In contrast, De Minaur struggled to match the world No. 1’s intensity, despite the vocal support of the Australian crowd.
The match began with promising rallies, but Sinner’s early break for 3-1 set the tone. De Minaur tried to mount a fightback in the second set, earning a break point, but Sinner’s impenetrable serving quashed his hopes. By the third set, Sinner was untouchable, cruising through the first three games before sealing the win with a final break of serve.
“I know so many people came here for him tonight,” Sinner said, acknowledging the crowd’s partisan energy. “But thank you for being so fair—it was an amazing atmosphere.”
De Minaur, 25, had hoped to become the first Australian man to reach the semifinals at Melbourne Park since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005. Despite falling short, the crowd rewarded his valiant effort with a standing ovation.
With this win, Sinner advances to face American Ben Shelton in the semifinals. The Italian holds a 4-1 head-to-head advantage over Shelton, but he remains cautious. “Ben is one of the best servers on tour,” Sinner said. “I’ll need to return well and stay aggressive, just like today.”
Sinner, now aiming for his third Grand Slam title and a 20th consecutive win at hard-court majors, leaves no doubt that he is the man to beat in Melbourne. Tennis fans worldwide eagerly await his showdown with Shelton—a match sure to bring firepower, finesse, and high drama.
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