Defending champion Jannik Sinner dropped just six games as he dominated home favourite Alex de Minaur and reach the Australian Open semi-finals.
The Italian world No1 overcame health issues to dismiss De Minaur in 6-3 6-2 6-1 at the Rod Laver Arena.
Sinner produced a ball-striking masterclass to extend his winning streak against the eighth seed to 10-0, including the last 20 consecutive sets.
The 23-year-old admitted to struggling during his fourth-round clash against Holger Rune but was back in top condition on Wednesday evening.
He said of his physical condition: “[Tuesday] was a very easy day, I played just half an hour, 40 minutes. I feel like, especially when you’re young, you recover very fast. I really like to sleep so trying to rest in the best possible way.
“I have a very experienced team with me, which I’m very grateful and happy (for). I (realised) straight away that I’m ready for today. Let’s see what’s coming now in the semis.
“I feel like today I was feeling everything. When you have days like this and you break early in each set, it makes it a bit easier.
“These kind of matches, they can go quickly but also they can change very fast if I go down with the level a little bit. I’m very happy with my performance today.”
The list of Italians to reach multiple AO semifinals:
Jannik Sinner
End of list. pic.twitter.com/HDiboWfchy
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2025
He later added: “After the match against Holger, we made some blood tests. They were all solid, all good. I feel like the illness has gone away now.”
The 23-year-old Italian will face American Ben Shelton in the last four on Friday.
Shelton, 22, reached the Melbourne semi-finals for the first time with a battling 6-4 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7-4) against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.
Swiatek and Keys progress
Iga Swiatek continued her romp throught the Australian Open draw by convincingly seeing off Emma Navarro 6-1 6-2.
The Pole’s victory, despite some controversy over a double-bouncing ball in the fifth game of the second set, means she has dropped just 14 games so far in five matches.
Next for second-seed Swiatek in her bid for a first Australian Open title is American Madison Keys, who has reached the semi-finals for the first time in 10 years.
Keys made it 10 victories in a row to start the season, coming from a set down to defeat Elina Svitolina 3-6 6-3 6-4.
