There were contrasting emotions for defending champions at the Australian Open as Jannik Sinner sailed into the quarter-finals buut Madison Keys was knocked out.
Sinner, the two-time defending men’s champion, had struggled with cramp in his previouus match but had no issues as he defeated compatriot Luciano Darderi 6-1 6-3 7-6 (2).
Darderi saved two match points at 5-4 before taking an early lead in the third-set tie-break but Sinner responded emphatically, winning seven points in a row.
Sinner, who also served a grand slam career-best 19 aces, said: “It was very, very difficult. We are very good friends off the court.
“I felt like in the third set I had a couple of break-point chances, couldn’t use them and then it got very, very tight. I’m very happy.
“We put a lot of work in, especially with the serve. We changed a bit the motion and I feel for sure a little bit more confident. I’m very happy how I’ve come back in the new season.”
Lorenzo Musetti made it two Italians into the last eight with a 6-2 7-5 6-4 victory over a struggling Taylor Fritz to set up a clash with Novak Djokovic.
In the women’s draw, Jessica Pegula knocked Keys out as four Americans reached the women’s singles last eight in Australia for the first time since 2001
Pegula’s 6-3 6-4 win ended Keys’ first Grand Slam title defence in a tough section of the draw.
Pegula said: “At least one of us will get through and I think that’s great for American tennis. Yeah, it’s been pretty crazy how well the women have been doing and how many top-ranked girls there are. I’m just happy to be a part of that conversation.”
