Jannik Sinner demolishes Alex de Minaur, advances to Australian Open semi-finals

Defending champion Jannik Sinner powered through to the Australian Open semi-finals with a dominant 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 victory over eighth-seeded Alex de Minaur, keeping his title defense on track and extending Australia's long drought of a homegrown Grand Slam singles champion.

The 23-year-old Italian, who previously won the U.S. Open in September, will face 21st-seeded American Ben Shelton in the next round. Despite crushing local hopes, De Minaur received a standing ovation from the Rod Laver Arena crowd for his competitive spirit.

"I feel like today I was feeling everything," Sinner said. "When you break so early in each set it's a bit easier. But he's a tough competitor, an amazing player. So many people came here for him tonight, but it was an amazing atmosphere."

Sinner's performance was particularly impressive after battling illness in his previous match. "Yesterday was an easy day, I played just 30-40 minutes with my coaches," he explained. "I feel when you're young, you recover fast."

The match showcased Sinner's exceptional form, breaking De Minaur early and maintaining relentless pressure throughout the quarterfinal encounter. With this victory, Sinner continues his remarkable Grand Slam journey, seeking to add another major trophy to his growing collection.

De Minaur's quest to become the first Australian men's champion since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005 came to an end, but the crowd's support highlighted the local tennis hero's popularity.

The semi-final matchup against Ben Shelton promises to be another thrilling chapter in Sinner's tournament run.

SportsLigue