Jannik Sinner has been rolling along nicely this entire week on his expected way to an Australian Open semifinal showdown against Novak Djokovic. On Friday, Djokovic finally matched–or at least came close–to the Italian’s level of dominance.
Following Sinner’s 6-0, 6-1, 6-3 rout of Sebastian Baez during the afternoon session, Djokovic treated the nighttime crowd to a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(2) victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The world No. 1 fired 10 aces without double-faulting a single time and did not face a single break point while prevailing in two hours and 28 minutes.
“It was a great match, I think,” Djokovic assessed. “The best performance I had during this tournament. Obviously I’m pleased with the way I played throughout the entire match, particularly the first two sets.
“[Etcheverry] stepped it up–raised his level of tennis probably one or two levels in the third set and we went toe-to-toe. In the tiebreak I guess I just found the right shots, the right serves, and closed it out in straights.”
Djokovic previously needed four sets against both Dino Prizmic and Alexei Popyrin.
Sinner, on the other hand, was dominant from start to finish during his trek to week two. He did not drop a set or even get pushed to a tiebreaker while ousting Botic van de Zandschulp, Jasper de Jong, and Baez. Against Baez, Sinner struck six aces and no double-faults, had seven more winners than unforced errors, and saved all four of the break points he faced. The 22-year-old required just one hour and 52 minutes to advance.
“I think I played really well and I feel great here,” Sinner commented.
The world No. 4 may have keep up his scorching-hot level of play–which dates back to last fall–if he wants to set up the dream semifinal against Djokovic. Things will only get tougher for Sinner, with Karen Khachanov up next followed by a potential quarterfinal date with either Andrey Rublev or Alex de Minaur.
Much to the Aussie crowd’s delight, De Minaur has not lost a set through three rounds. The world No. 10, whose current six-match winning streak includes a United Cup upset of Djokovic, destroyed Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 on Friday. Rublev, meanwhile, was extended to a fifth-set tiebreaker by Thiago Seyboth Wild in round one but has since defeated Chris Eubanks and Sebastian Korda in straights.
Elsewhere in the top half of the bracket, fourth-round action pits Stefanos Tsitsipas against Taylor Fritz. Tsitsipas eased past Luca Van Assche in straight sets; Fritz beat Fabian Marozsan in 4.
Sinner on fire