Jannik Sinner snuffs out late Luciano Darderi push to reach Australian Open QFs | ATP Tour
ATP Tour
Moni sniffs Darderi late to reach Australian Open QFs
The two-time defending champion awaits Shelton or Ruud in Melbourne
January 26, 2026
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Jannik Sinner has won all 18 of his tour-level matches against the Italians.
Written by Jerome Coombe
Jannik Sinner negotiated a moment of uncertainty late Monday at the Australian Open, but ultimately asserted his authority to beat fellow Italian Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(2) to advance to the quarter-finals in Melbourne.
The number 2 player in the PIF ATP rankings hit hard, combining relentless precision with a clinical edge that largely kept suspense and drama at bay. Having struggled against Eliot Spizzirri in the previous round – a match in which he later admitted he was “lucky” to have the roof closed in time – Sinner escaped against Darderi, as his momentum and fitness threatened to disappear briefly.
“It was very difficult. We are good friends off the court, and that is hard to lose,” Sinner said of Darderi. “In the third set I had a few break opportunities, [but] I couldn’t use them… Then I got too strong, so I’m really happy to close it in three sets.”
Very nice 🔥@janniksin defeating partner Darderi to reach the quarter-finals for the fourth time.@Australian Open | #AO26 pic.twitter.com/LVdNyAZeO4
– ATP Tour (@atptour) January 26, 2026
In his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Darderi, Sinner claimed from the base with a clean time and a sharp serve. Darderi briefly threatened late in the third set when he produced a flurry of aggressive plays to earn four break points at 4-4 and lead 2/0 in the tie-break. It appeared to be a turning point, but Sinner closed the door emphatically, winning seven straight points to seal the victory.
Next, Sinner will face either Ben Shelton or Casper Ruud as he continues his bid to join Novak Djokovic as the only men to win three consecutive Australian Open titles. The two are just one win away from entering the semi-finals.
With his two-hour, nine-minute victory over Darderi, Sinner advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the fourth time, tied with Grigor Dimitrov, Kei Nishikori and Stefanos Tsitsipas for the fourth appearance at that stage among active players.
Sinner’s combination of strength and efficiency proved decisive in his straight sets victory, allowing him to close out the match without inviting any further questions about his fitness. He finished with 46 winners, including 19 aces, and remained perfect against his countrymen, achieving an 18-0 tour-level record against fellow Italians.
“We’ve put in a lot of work, especially with the feed,” Sinner added. “We have changed the movement a bit and I feel confident. There is still room for improvement, which is normal, but I am very happy with the way I came back in the new season. At the end of last season, I worked very well, [and] you are very stable.”
