Jannik Sinner beat Luciano Darderi in the Italian derby of the round of 16 of the Australian Open. The world number 2 won in three sets with scores of 6-1, 6-3, 7-6.
Sinner now awaits the American Shelton in the quarter-finals who in turn beat the Norwegian Ruud in four sets.
New ace record for Sinner: 19. “I’m satisfied, now the shot is even more stable”
“I’m very happy to be a quarter-finalist again in such a special place for me. I hope to continue as best I can.” Jannik Sinner said it immediately after the three-set victory in the Italian derby with Luciano Darderi which projects him to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. “It was difficult, we are good friends off the court – added the South Tyrolean -. In the third set I had unexploited chances for the break and the set became balanced. I played the last points well under pressure”. New personal ace record for Sinner who scored 19: “It would be nice to be able to always improve quickly, we have changed a little something in the movement. In my opinion there is still room for improvement, but I am satisfied with how I am serving, already at the end of last season I was doing it well but now the shot is even more stable”, he explained regarding the improvements on the serve. In the quarterfinals the number 2 in the world will face one of Ben Shelton or Casper Ruud: “Fortunately I know both of them well, but they have also improved in some aspects of the game. It will be a different match from today. Now I focus on recovery, which is the most important part. The matches can be physical and long, it will also depend on whether I play in the day or evening session”, he added.