Defending champion Jannik Sinner powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals on Monday, while women’s title holder Madison Keys saw her campaign end, as Melbourne braced for forecast temperatures of up to 45°C.
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Sinner recovered strongly from recent physical concerns to defeat fellow Italian Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), booking his ninth consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final. Playing in shaded conditions at Margaret Court Arena, the world number one fired 19 aces and said he felt physically comfortable despite the heat.
“It was difficult to put the match away, but I’m happy I closed it in three sets,” Sinner said, adding that his off-season work was beginning to pay dividends. He will next face American eighth seed Ben Shelton, who rallied past Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
In the women’s draw, Madison Keys’ title defence came to an end with a 6-3, 6-4 loss to close friend and sixth seed Jessica Pegula. Keys struggled with unforced errors and double faults, while Pegula advanced to her fourth quarter-final at Melbourne Park as she continues her pursuit of a first Grand Slam crown.
Pegula will meet Amanda Anisimova, who defeated China’s Wang Xinyu 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 to make it four American players in the women’s last eight.
Second seed Iga Swiatek cruised past Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis 6-0, 6-3, eliminating the last home hope. Swiatek will face Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals after the former Wimbledon champion dispatched Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-3.
On the men’s side, Lorenzo Musetti reached his first Australian Open quarter-final with a 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 victory over an injury-hit Taylor Fritz, setting up a blockbuster clash with 10-time champion Novak Djokovic. Djokovic advanced via walkover after Jakub Mensik withdrew injured.
Extreme heat again shaped proceedings, with organisers implementing extended breaks for longer matches. With temperatures expected to soar to 45°C on Tuesday, play is likely to move under closed roofs on courts equipped with retractable covers.
