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Jannik Sinner joined Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals of the Australian Open when he demolished home favourite Alex De Minaur 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 at the Rod Laver Arena.
Sinner, who had won every meeting between the two players before this one, was in complete control throughout the match and broke the Australian’s will with a mix of heavy hitting and pinpoint accuracy from the baseline. It was a stark contrast to the Italian’s performance against Holger Rune on Monday when he battled through illness and niggles to get into the last eight.
De Minaur had dropped just one set on his way to the quarter-finals, in a tie-break against Francisco Cerundolo, and looked in good touch before meeting the World No.1. Sinner will now face Ben Shelton after the American fought off a Lorenzo Sonego comeback to clinch their quarter-final clash 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4).
Earlier in the day, Iga Swiatek cruised past Emma Navarro 6-1, 6-2 in their Women’s Singles quarter-final while Madison Keys secured a surprising 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Elina Svitolina to set up a meeting with Swiatek tomorrow.
Follow live updates from Sinner v De Minaur in our live blog below:
Australian Open: SET! Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-2 6-1 Alex De Minaur
A simple flick of the wrists from Sinner sends a backhand down the line and moves him 0-30 against the serve.
The Italian wants to finish this match and goes for a winner that he knocks too long.
De Minaur knows Sinner has upped his game. He tries to match him with a stretching backhand but Sinner blazes a shot down the line and has two match points.
De Minaur saves the first one with a strong serve to the forehand.
He can’t save the second. Another break for Jannik Sinner and the match is his.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 11:17
Australian Open: Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-2 5-1 Alex De Minaur*
Smash! After an opening ace, Sinner moves 30-0 up with a high forehand smash to De Minaur can do nothing about.
A rare error from the Italian opens the door slightly for a comeback but that is shut down after De Minaur pings a forehand too long.
Sinner takes the game with a cross court backhand. The angle is tight, the shot perfect and the World No.1 is living up to his ranking.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 11:13
Australian Open: *Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-2 4-1 Alex De Minaur
It’s been a struggle for Alex De Minaur.
At the professional level it’s quite rare to come up against an opponent that is better than you in every possible way but Jannik Sinner has proven that he is that man for De Minaur.
Still, the Australian persists. He pushes a forehand wide and gets Sinner running when his next shot is flicked across court.
The Italian sprints across and returns but De Minaur whips a backhand into the corner to take the point.
The crowd celebrates and De Minaur holds serve.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 11:08
Australian Open: Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-2 4-0 Alex De Minaur*
Three more games to go for Jannik Sinner. The stats and history was all in favour of the Italian and the match has played out in a familiar fashion.
De Minaur skids across the court and meets a backhand which isn’t high enough and finds the net to give Sinner the first point of the game.
A rolling of the wrists allows Sinner to drive a forehand down the line and the ball is too far from De Minaur to get across to.
In no time, the game is Sinner’s and he moves another step closer to the semi-finals.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 11:04
Australian Open: BREAK! *Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-2 3-0 Alex De Minaur
There’s nothing going for De Minaur. The relentless onslaught of Sinner’s ball striking is offering nothing to the Australian to get after.
Instead he’s trying to orchestrate a moment of skill from a half-chance of a winner and thus makes the mistake himself.
He sends a forehand wide, then another one long and Sinner has a double break.
The end is nearing quickly.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 11:01
Australian Open: Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-2 2-0 Alex De Minaur*
As smooth as you like from Jannik Sinner who secures his break with an uncomplicated and dominant service game.
De Minaur struggles with each serve and when a rally does develop, at 40-0, he drills a backhand into the net.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 10:57
Australian Open: BREAK! *Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-2 1-0 Alex De Minaur
From two game points for De Minaur to a break point for Sinner.
De Minaur’s attempt to save sees him serve down the T.
Sinner gets it back and sets up a teasing shot for De Minaur to go after the forehand. He does try for the winner but hits it wide.
Another break for Sinner.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 10:54
Australian Open: Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-2 0-0 Alex De Minaur*
Alex De Minaur just needs to focus no his own serve. If he can win those games he’ll be in with a chance.
Each point that goes his way in this opening game of the third set is met with a “come on!” exclamation as though the Australian is trying to convince himself he can still win.
De Minaur is helped but a couple of errors but works his way to 40-30. A long forehand seems to land on the line but is called out and De Minaur must fight from deuce.
It would be a devastating blow for him if he loses this game.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 10:52
Australian Open: SET! Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-2 Alex De Minaur*
So then, here’s Jannik Sinner serving to win the second set.
His opening serve is sent out wide and De Minaur’s hurried return gives him control. Sinner works the Aussie back to the left of court before smashing down on a volley to win the point.
Sinner wins the next point as well with a forehand to the corner before De Minaur clips the tape and offers up three set points.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 10:47
Australian Open: *Jannik Sinner 6-3 5-2 Alex De Minaur
De Minaur comes to the net and volleys the ball off balance over the back of court.
His next approach is a lot better and he lands a fine drop shot over the net with Sinner stuck behind the baseline.
There may be some hope for the Australian who moves 30-15 in front with another volley from the net. He may have discovered a way to challenge Sinner.
The Italian looks to respond by making the approach himself. He looks to place a forehand volley on the sideline but gets it wrong and falls further behind De Minaur.
The Australian holds serve and, though the second set looks lost, he’ll take some confidence into the third.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 10:44