Sinner returns for second week of Australian Open | ATP Tour

Australian Open

Sinner levels up against Baez in Australia

His next opponent will be Khachanov.

January 19, 2024

David Gray/AFP via Getty Images

Jannik Sinner didn’t lose a set at the 2024 Australian Open.
Author: ATPTour.com/es staff

He raised his opponent’s demands and also raised his level on the track. Jannik Sinner continues to impress these two weeks at Melbourne Park, as evidenced by his resounding victory this Friday over Argentine Sebastian Baez, who reached the last 16 of the Australian Open for the third year in a row.

Two days after dropping just six games in a win over Dutchman Jesper De Jong, the fourth seed dropped even fewer games en route to a 6-0, 6-1 win over 26th-seeded Baez. 6-3. Three months ago they met in Shanghai with Sinner winning in three tight sets. The way the Lexus ATP ended 2-0 between them this Friday was devastating.

“I played good tennis. And I really liked the conditions today, because there was no wind or sun. So it was a little easier for me to get used to it. I felt the ball very well. I made the right decisions and took advantage of every opportunity I had. I really want to get on the court again. “I’m very happy and we’ll see how it goes,” Yannick said.

The 22-year-old right-hander saved all four break points he faced on serve and capitalized on seven of the twelve break opportunities he created to storm back to victory in one hour and 52 minutes of play. He also hit more than twice as many winners as Báez (34-13) and scored 72% of his points at the net (18-25).

Sinner has now won all nine sets he played in the tournament, in which he debuted with a win over Botich van de Zandschulp. Moreover, he did not lose serve in his last two matches in which he played no more than two hours per match.

With his performance this year making him one of the big favorites for the tournament, Sinner reached eleventh place in the second week of the Grand Slam, the second best result among Italian men.

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And he has the opportunity to continue to progress. He has confidence and level on his side that has allowed him to win 16 of his last 17 matches (he only lost in the Nitto ATP Finals 2023 to Novak Djokovic). In his sixth Grand Slam quarter-final and second in Australia (also in 2022), Sinner will face Karen Khachanov.

The 15th seeded Australian 2023 semi-finalist has just beaten Czech Tomas Machac 6-4, 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(5) and will now seek his sixth qualification for the tournament . premises for specialties. To do this, he will have to try to turn his Lexus ATP to face Sinner, who leads him 2-1. The Italian also won his last two matches.

“It will be interesting. “He always plays well, especially at Grand Slams,” Sinner said of his next opponent. “We always played very long and difficult games. I hope the next one will be successful.”