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Sinner flips the script to set up Tsitsipas sequel

  • Dan Imhoff

It takes more than a first successful comeback from a two-set deficit to prompt wild scenes of celebration from Jannik Sinner.

MORE: All the scores from Day 5 at AO 2023

Level-headed and unaffected, the 21-year-old turned his showdown with Marton Fucsovics on a dime without a smidge of fuss on Friday.

His 4-6 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-0 triumph, however, was more business as usual, just another step on the road to grander week-two ambitions.

The 15th seed was comfortable gliding under the radar, despite being the only man to have reached the fourth round in each of the past six majors.

He follows Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic as just the fifth man to notch six or more Grand Slam fourth-round appearances in a row in the Open Era.

MORE: AO 2023 men's singles draw

Sinner's three outings at this year's Australian Open, which included lopsided defeats of Kyle Edmund and Tomas Etcheverry, all took place in day session away from the hype and glare of a prime-time night clash.

Sinner has rarely been in the spotlight this week, and couldn't be happier (Getty Images)

"I like to play early matches, especially in the Grand Slams," Sinner said.

"It's a little bit different when you know that you play around 11am. After you have a little bit more time to recover.

"I like these kind of schedules … Honestly, I don't care so much, no? I'm happy to be on court, doesn't matter what time."

Sinner earned a chance to avenge his quarterfinal defeat at Melbourne Park last year to Stefanos Tsitsipas next.

That clash was destined for the brighter lights of a blockbuster time slot.

"For sure, I'm looking forward always for these kind of matches, knowing that he is one of the best players in the world," Sinner said.

"But I've changed a little bit for sure my game. It's going to be hopefully a good match … This is what I practise for. We'll see how it goes this year."

That is about as close as Sinner comes to subtly putting an opponent on notice.

Tsitsipas was not oblivious to the improvements Sinner has made, despite a knee injury that derailed part of the Italian's season.

"For sure I have a good memory from last year. I'm sure he's much better prepared this time," Tsitsipas said.

"I hope I can deliver a good sort of level of game 'cause it was close last time. I think it was in three sets, yes, but it was close.

"It's about maintaining that. It's about building within that. It's about perhaps maybe sticking to what worked previously, and continually sort of adding to it when out there in the match.

"I have big weapons. I can, I think, generate even more power now than I did before. I can take the ball early, I have a lot of options out there."

Tsitsipas is wary of Sinner, who he beat in straight sets in Melbourne last year (Getty Images)

After reaching his third Australian Open semifinal in four years to start last season, the Greek's Grand Slam season nose-dived, with fourth, third and first-round exits in succession.

It was distinct from two classic five-set quarterfinal defeats Sinner was a part of in the second half of the year – against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon and Carlos Alcaraz at Flushing Meadows.

The latter was hailed as one of the highest-level showdowns all year, even if it was a tough loss to swallow.

"Just trying to take out the positives, no? I think physically I was good in that match," Sinner said. 

"I obviously recovered after quite well, which I showed also today, that physically I am ready to compete."