Australian Open live: Latest scores as Sinner set for quarter-final rematch after ‘difficult’ test
Sinner did not have to face the same extreme heat but encountered some difficulty closing out the win as the defending champion returned to the quarter-finals
Jannik Sinner will face an Australian Open rematch against Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals after the defending champion survived a late dip to defeat his compatriot Luciano Darderi to avoid another examination of his physical struggles.
Sinner admitted he got “lucky” in his third-round win over Eliot Spizzirri as the defending champion was saved by the heat rule. Sinner was cramping and looked to be in big trouble before the tournament’s heat stress level enforced the closing of the roof, as the 24-year-old second seed recovered to close out victory.
After saving two break points in the opening game of the match, Sinner did not look to be in trouble against Darderi until late in the third set, as he was forced to fend off another four break points, and then had two match points saved, as he was dragged into a tiebreak.
But with Sinner appearing a little more uncertain as the match passed the two-hour mark, he ensured he improved his record against Italian opponents to 18-0. He will play the eighth seed Shelton, who recovered from a set down to defeat Casper Ruud.
Sinner has won his last eight matches against Shelton, without dropping a single set, including in the Australian Open semi-finals and Wimbledon quarter-finals last season.
Elsewhere, another Italian is through after Lorenzo Musetti defeated Taylor Fritz to set up a quarter-final clash with Novak Djokovic. Jessica Pegula ended the title defence of Madison Keys as she booked another all-American battle against Amanda Anisimova.
Follow latest scores and updates from the Australian Open, below
What this Australian Open’s 58-year first says about the current state of tennis
The top six seeds in both the men’s and women’s tournaments are still standing to set up blockbuster quarter-finals, and there are two different reasons to explain this piece of history.
What this Australian Open’s 58-year first says about the current state of tennis
Australian Open heat rules explained as tournament prepares for brutal 46C conditions
The organisers of the Australian Open have been forced to adjust their schedule with a heatwave expected to hit at the start of the quarter-finals, with temperatures set to reach as high as 46C in Melbourne by 5pm local time.
Australian Open heat rules explained as tournament prepares for brutal 46C conditions
Ben Shelton looks ahead to Jannik Sinner rematch in quarter-finals
“It's what you look forward to the most in this sport. It's where I wanted to be.
I wanted to be back here. I wanted to give myself another shot. I wanted to improve on some things that I didn't do as well last year, and leave it all out on the court.
“So for me, I have a lot more that I want to do here and I have a lot more to prove, so I hope you guys come back in two days' time because I'll be.”
Ben Shelton sets up Australian Open rematch against Jannik Sinner
Ben Shelton defeats Casper Ruud to return to the Australian Open quarter-finals, where he will look to snap his eight-match losing run against Jannik Sinner on Wednesday.
From a set down, Shelton continued his excellent serving form in Melbourne and will bid for revenge against Shelton after losing to him in last season’s Australian Open semi-finals.
The left-handed Shelton also lost to Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals, with the World No 2 winning their last 19 sets in a row.
Shelton’s only victory over Sinner came in their very first meeting in Shanghai in 2023.
But Shelton is looking in excellent shape and finishes his victory over Ruud with a brilliant forehand winner.
Ben Shelton moves a set away from quarter-finals
Ben Shelton has upped his first serve percentage from 57% in the first set to 77% in the second and 64% in the third and it has proved the difference as he opens up a 2-1 lead in sets over Casper Ruud.
He moves one set away from that Jannik Sinner rematch.
Why were Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz banned from wearing fitness trackers at Australian Open?
An argument over banned “wearable” devices such as Whoop fitness trackers has erupted at the Australian Open after top players Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka were ordered to remove them before their matches.
Tennis Australia, the organisers of the Australian Open, confirmed that the wearable wrist technology is not permitted at the grand slams - although it said that the tournament is “in discussions” over allowing such devices in the future.
Wearable technology is permitted on the ATP and WTA tours. When the ATP Tour announced the approval of in-match wearable devices in 2024, a statement from then chief sporting officer Ross Hutchins said the technology was a “big step forward in our push to optimise player performance and prevent injury”.
Why Sinner and Alcaraz were banned from wearing fitness trackers at Australian Open
Ben Shelton levels fourth-round clash with Casper Ruud
A wild forehand shank from Casper Ruud and Ben Shelton breaks to take the second set and level the match! A roar from the American, who is looking to set up a rematch with Jannik Sinner after his defeat to the Italian in last year’s Australian Open semi-finals.
Casper Ruud wins first set against Ben Shelton
Casper Ruud has not reached the quarter-finals of a grand slam since his run to the French Open semi-finals in 2024. His previous best result at the Australian Open was the third round and he had just three top-10 wins last season.
But the 12th seed is a set up on Ben Shelton.
Iga Swiatek races past Maddison Inglis to reach quarter-finals
Iga Swiatek completes the women’s quarter-final line-up as the second seed breezes past Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis 6-0 6-3.
That sets up a mouthwatering clash with fifth seed Elena Rybakina - two absolute contenders for the title.
In fact, it’s a cracker of a quarter-final line-up in Melbourne. All six of the top seeds, plus Elina Svitolina and Iva Jovic.
- [1] Aryna Sabalenka vs [29] Iva Jovic
- [3] Coco Gauff vs [12] Elina Svitolina
- [4]Amanda Anisimova vs [6] Jessica Pegula
- [2] Iga Swiatek vs [5] Elena Rybakina
Jannik Sinner to face either Ben Shelton or Casper Ruud in quarter-finals
A cracker coming up next on Rod Laver Arena as Ben Shelton and Casper Ruud, two in-form players, meet for the chance to take on Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals.
“Fortunately these are opponents who I have played against already. I think I know them, but of course, they worked a lot, everyone is improving, so. It's gonna be for sure a very different match,
“I'm gonna check a little bit of the match. But most importantly is to recover. Matches can be very, very long, they can be very physical, so, depending also when you play, night or day session, you know, there's a big difference.
“Let's see what's coming. But I'm very happy to be again in the quarter-finals. It's such a special, special place for me, and of course we are trying to continue as hard as possible.”
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