Jannik Sinner has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. The world No. 1 continues the successful defense of his title in Melbourne after defeating Holger Rune in four sets, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, in just over three hours.
Last year's champion started in a magnificent way, breaking his opponent's first service game. He had no trouble holding onto his lead until the end of the set. In the second set, however, Rune waited for his moment and broke in the eighth game, and then made no mistake on his own serve. The Dane had four break points in the third set before being broken in the eighth game, which proved decisive for the final outcome of not only the set but also the match. Sinner gained confidence, and Rune already looked exhausted after the hard battles in his previous matches and after 6-2 in the fourth set for the Italian, it was all over.
Sinner lost only ten first serve points in the entire match. In the winners, the difference between the two was not so great - only four more for the leader in the scheme, but Rune's unforced errors were nearly 20 more - 54 against 35.
Thus, Sinner took another step towards a successful defense of the crown, and in the dispute for a place in the semi-finals he will face either American Alex Mickelsen or eighth seed Alex de Minaur. | BGNES
