The aura of infallibility: Sinner outlasts Darderi in all-Italian masterclass
Jannik Sinner defeated Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (2) on Monday night to advance to the Australian Open quarterfinals. The world No 2 and double defending champion extended his winning streak in Melbourne to 18 matches, overcoming a late surge from his compatriot to reach his ninth consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Jannik Sinner, 2026 | © PsNewz
Jannik Sinner defeated Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (2) to further solidify his status as the most consistent force in men’s tennis. In a high-stakes fourth-round clash between two of Italy’s brightest stars, the 24-year-old Sinner displayed a level of tactical maturity that has become his trademark.
By navigating a tense third-set tiebreak, the No 2 seed secured his 19th consecutive win at tour-level and maintained an astonishing record of winning 33 of his last 34 sets. For Sinner, this victory was about more than just numbers; it was about managing the “small difficulty” of facing a close friend on the world’s biggest stage.
A Serving Masterclass and Tactical Evolution
The match was defined by Sinner’s relentless pressure and a career-best serving performance. After setting a personal record for aces earlier in the tournament, the Italian surpassed it again on Monday, firing 19 aces past the No 22 seed.
Sinner credited this improvement to a refined motion developed during the off-season. “I wish it would be that easy you know. We put a lot of work in especially with the serve,” Sinner said. “I feel a bit more confident for sure. I feel like there’s still room to improve, which is normal… I try to go a bit more to the net and being slightly more unpredictable, which today I felt like worked really well.”
While Sinner cruised through the opening two sets, the 23-year-old Darderi – who had previously upset Karen Khachanov – found his rhythm in the third. The world No 25 pushed the defending champion to a tiebreak, forcing Sinner to stay mentally sharp. “It was very very difficult. We were good friends off court,” Sinner admitted after the match. “I felt like in the 3rd set I had a couple of break chances. Couldn’t use them, then I got very very tight. I’m very happy I closed it in 3 sets.”
Chasing the Three-Peat in Melbourne
With this win, Sinner reaches his 15th career Grand Slam quarterfinal and moves one step closer to a historic “three-peat” at Melbourne Park. His ability to remain “stable” in high-pressure moments has turned him into the benchmark for the rest of the field. He now awaits the winner of the fourth-round clash between No 8 seed Ben Shelton and No 12 seed Casper Ruud.
Having already faced both potential opponents, Sinner remains focused on recovery and adaptation. “Fortunately these are opponents who I’ve played already against. I know them a bit. But of course they worked a lot also. Everyone is improving,” he noted. “Most important is to recover. Matches can be very long and physical… But I’m very happy to be in the quarterfinals again. Such a special special place for me.” As Sinner prepares for the second week, his combination of physical dominance and emotional maturity makes him the undeniable man to beat.
