Sinner Faces Shelton in 2026 Australian Open Quarterfinals
Jannik Sinner, the world number two, advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Australian Open following a straight-sets victory over Italian player Luciano Darderi. The match took place on January 26, with Sinner winning 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(2).
Sinner’s Path to Victory
Despite experiencing cramps during a grueling four-set match in the third round against American Eliot Spizzirri, Sinner displayed focused performance in the fourth round. He has now secured 18 consecutive wins at this Grand Slam event and has not lost a match since October, when he fell short in Shanghai.
Match Highlights
- Sinner faced Darderi, the 22nd seed, at the Margaret Court Arena.
- He saved two break points in the opening game, establishing early dominance.
- Sinner recorded a remarkable 19 aces and achieved a first serve percentage exceeding 70%.
In the first two sets, Sinner overwhelmed Darderi, not allowing him to establish a rhythm. The match took a pivotal turn in set three. Darderi raised his level of play, creating four break points, but Sinner held strong, ultimately winning the tie-break decisively.
Upcoming Quarterfinal Match
Sinner’s victory sets up a quarterfinal clash against American Ben Shelton, who triumphed over Casper Ruud in his fourth-round match. Last year, Sinner defeated Shelton in the semifinals in straight sets.
What’s Next
The other quarterfinal matchups feature notable players, including fourth seed Novak Djokovic facing fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti. Additionally, Alexander Zverev will compete against Learner Tien, while Carlos Alcaraz takes on Alex De Minaur.
As the tournament progresses, Sinner’s performance continues to be under scrutiny, especially as he aims for a potential title at the Australian Open. Fans will be eager to see if he can maintain his form against Shelton in the quarterfinals.
