Two-time defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner made it a sweet 16 consecutive wins at Melbourne Park as he brushed aside Australian James Duckworth on a clear but chilly Thursday evening at Rod Laver Arena.
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While the mercury might have been a little on the low side, the Italian’s tennis was red-hot at times during a 6-1 6-4 6-2 victory in an hour and 49 minutes.
It extends his overall win streak at all events to 17 matches since he last tasted defeat against Tallon Griekspoor in Shanghai last October. He’s navigated his last 12 contests now without even losing a set.
Next up for Sinner will be young in-form American Eliot Spizzirri, who moved into the third round at a major for the first time with a hard-fought five-set victory over China’s Wu Yibing.
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Should Sinner make it a hat-trick of titles here a week on Sunday he will become only the fourth player in history to win three consecutive Australian Open men’s singles trophies, and just the second in the Open era after Novak Djokovic.
“I felt like I was returning very, very well today also the serve was really good so I’m very happy about my performance,” Sinner told Jim Courier in his on-court interview.
“I feel like I’m in good shape at the moment. I know how much hard work I’ve put in so the body feels good, also the mind is in a good moment. The first tournament [of the year] is always very, very special for all of us.
"It’s a very special tournament for me, and this is a very special court in the past years. Let’s see what’s coming this year.”
Most of the 15,000 inside Rod Laver Arena were more than ready to get behind the Aussie whenever he finished on top of the early points, but it was Sinner who settled the quicker.
With Duckworth serving break point down at 1-2, those watching were treated to some trademark Sinner point construction. Impeccable footwork around the ball, controlled aggression, a couple of punishing forehands to get his opponent on the move and a perfect backhand winner up the line all combined to earn him a 3-1 lead.
A quick hold followed for 4-1 after under 20 minutes.
Already under pressure, two Duckworth double faults in the next game meant the opening chapter was effectively over, and Sinner sat down with a one-set lead after 26 minutes.
Duckworth, who celebrated his 34th birthday on Wednesday, stuck to the four-time Grand Slam champion for much longer in the second set, impressing and bringing the crowd to life when he held from 0-40 in the fifth game to edge ahead 3-2.
The relief for the world No.88 didn’t last long however, and he couldn’t survive yet more Sinner pressure when he sent a forehand long to drop serve and fall behind 4-3.
After such a one-sided opening set, Duckworth must be given credit for digging his heels in during what was a much tighter passage of play, but ultimately it was another set in the world No.2’s favour.
The third took a similar route to the opener, with Sinner quickly building a lead to put Duckworth on the ropes.
A double break meant the Italian found himself ahead 4-0 and another couple of holds – plus an 18th ace on match point – sealed it for the 2024 and 2025 men’s champion.