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DAY 9 MEN: Sinner beats heat and broken net to make Australian Open quarters

tennis20 January 2025 13:00| Ā© AFP
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Lorenzo Sonego Ā© Gallo Images

Defending champion Jannik Sinner needed medical attention in energy-sapping heat and overcame a long interruption when he broke the net to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals on Monday.

The top seed again dropped a set before coming home 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 against dangerous Dane Holger Rune on Rod Laver Arena with both men needing medical attention.

Sinner struggled in the muggy conditions, his hand visibly shaking and his heart rate taken in the third set before he left court for a medical timeout.

Rune needed attention to a sore right knee in the same set.

They then had a bizarre 20-minute delay when Sinner demolished the metal brace that secures the net to the floor with a thunderous serve early in set four.

"It was for sure very, very tough," said Sinner, who is bidding to become the first Italian man to win three Grand Slam crowns.

"I tried to stay there mentally, I tried to stay connected with my service game and in my return game just seeing what happens."

Asked what his medical problem was, he was evasive.

"I had a strange morning because I didn't warm up today," he replied. "I knew in my mind already that I would struggle today."

Order of Play | Watch Live on DStv

The win put him into clash against Australia's big hope, eighth seed Alex de Minaur, or fast-rising young American Alex Michelsen.

The Italian is bidding to defend a Grand Slam title for the first time after winning the first of his two majors in Melbourne last year, beating Daniil Medvedev in the final.

It was the catalyst for a sensational year that saw him win eight titles, including the US Open and ATP Finals and his victory over 13th seed Rune extended his win streak to 18 matches.

The 23-year-old stamped his authority on the match immediately by breaking to love, with Rune hitting four consecutive errors.

Sinner's serve was iron-clad and there was no sniff for the Dane, who went one set down in 33 minutes.

But a Sinner double-fault in the eighth game of set two handed Rune a break, allowing him to hold and level the match as he began to find his rhythm.

It was the second set Sinner had dropped in the tournament, having not done so in 13 previous matches.

Sinner clung on to hold in an epic game three in the third set, which included a remarkable 37-shot rally that the Italian won to save break point.

He gave Rune another break point at 2-2 with a double fault, again saving, but he was labouring.

At the changeover, a doctor checked him and he went off for a medical timeout.

Sinner returned and slogged through a testing 14-point eighth game to break for 5-3 before sealing the set.

After the delay while the net was fixed, he produced a top-notch forehand winner to break for 2-1 in the fourth set and there was no way back for a tiring Rune.

SONEGO ENDS TIEN'S FAIRYTALE

Teenage qualifier Learner Tien's fairytale ended as Italy's Lorenzo Sonego blasted into his first Grand Slam quarterfinal on his 26th attempt.

The seasoned 29-year-old proved a bridge too far for the 19-year-old American, who stunned fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in round two.

Against the world number 55, Tien wilted on a hot and humid day in Melbourne, succumbing 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 with a right thigh problem not helping.

It brought the curtain down on a breakthrough debut tournament for Tien, who was bidding to become the youngest man to reach the quarterfinals since Goran Ivanisevic in 1989.

Instead, Sonego progressed to a last-eight clash with either French veteran Gael Monfils or American 21st seed Ben Shelton.

"Unbelievable. It's pretty emotional, today was tough," said Sonego.

"So sad because he had some problem. It's not the right way to win but I'm so happy to reach the quarterfinals.

"Really special," he added. "I've played really well this week and I want to enjoy every moment."

Tien was broken to love on his first service game with the Italian giving him little opportunity to strike back, breaking again to secure the first set.

Sonego was untouchable on his first serve, winning 100 per cent in set two, to again limit Tien's chances.

The American slumped 5-2 behind before leaving the court for a medical timeout after treatment on his thigh.

When he returned, Sonego wrapped up the set with ease, but against the odds Tien recovered with a dominant break to start set three, holding on to give himself a glimmer of hope.

But he was spent as Sonego took charge again in the fourth set with the youngster flagging.

SHELTON HALTS MONFILS TO SET UP QUARTER WITH SONEGO

Ben Shelton ground down French veteran Gael Monfils Monday to set up an Australian Open quarterfinal against Lorenzo Sonego, who ended teenage qualifier Learner Tien's fairytale run.

The 22-year-old Shelton went toe-to-toe with the Frenchman, 16 years his senior, until Monfils pulled the plug exhausted in the fourth set.

Shelton won 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/2), 1-0 with each of the first three sets lasting almost an hour.

"At 38 years old I hope I'm still walking without crutches," Shelton, who matched his 2023 run to the last eight at Melbourne Park, said.

"To push me the way he did the way he did today and entertain everyone is so impressive."

Monfils, ranked 41, upset fourth seed Taylor Fritz in the third round but the exertion of several long matches on the back of winning the lead-up Auckland Classic took its toll.

"He had played a lot of long matches and I wanted to make it as physical as possible," said the 21st-ranked Shelton, whose best Slam result came in 2023 when he made the US Open semifinals.

"It was really tricky today because he was serving so well. There's a lot of things that make that guy a nightmare to play."

There was nothing between them in the first set, which went to a tiebreak, where Shelton won the last four points to get over the line.

Another close battle unfolded in set two which again went to a tiebreak when neither man could force a decisive break.

This time it was the Frenchman that came out on top, unleashing a forehand winner to level the match.

They exchanged the first breaks of the contest early in set three.

But again nothing separated them until Shelton ended the resistance of Monfils with a series of winners to take the tiebreak. The veteran retired soon after.

Shelton will next meet Sonego, who blasted into his first Grand Slam quarterfinal on his 26th attempt.

The seasoned 29-year-old proved a bridge too far for 19-year-old American Tien, who stunned fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in round two.

'PRETTY EMOTIONAL'

Against the world number 55, Tien wilted, succumbing 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 with a right thigh problem not helping.

It brought the curtain down on a breakthrough debut tournament for Tien, who was bidding to become the youngest man to reach the quarterfinals since Goran Ivanisevic in 1989.

"Unbelievable. It's pretty emotional, today was tough," said Sonego.

"So sad because he had some problem. It's not the right way to win but I'm so happy to reach the quarterfinals.

Tien was broken to love on his first service game with the Italian giving him little opportunity to strike back.

Sonego was untouchable on his first serve, winning 100 per cent in set two, to again limit Tien's chances.

The American slumped 5-2 behind before leaving the court for a medical timeout after treatment on his thigh.

When he returned Sonego wrapped up the set with ease, but against the odds Tien recovered with a dominant break to start set three, holding on to give himself a glimmer of hope.

But he was spent as Sonego took charge again in the fourth set.

De Minaur downs Michelsen to keep home hopes alive at Australian Open

Alex De Minaur kept the home flag flying at the Australian Open as he beat rising American Alex Michelsen 6-0 7-6(5) 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals for the first time on Monday.

The 25-year-old has now reached the last eight at every Grand Slam and will face top seed and defending champion Jannik Sinner for a place in the semis.

 

 

Eighth seed De Minaur threatened to run away with the night match on Rod Laver Arena after winning the opening eight games but was then made to scrap as the powerful Michelsen recovered from a lacklustre start.

Michelsen, 20, surged back and was piling on the pressure to lead 5-4 in the second set tiebreak but De Minaur escaped with an inspired passing shot helping him forge a two-set lead.

The errors returned to the 20-year-old Michelsen's game in the third set as De Minaur calmly moved 5-3 ahead. Just as when he served for the second set, De Minaur wobbled and had to save a break point when serving for the match but he got the job done to the delight of the home fans.

Success takes toll on Monfils at Australian Open

Veteran Gael Monfils has rolled back the years in recent weeks with a string of incredible performances, but the Frenchman said he had exceeded his limit after retiring hurt from his fourth-round Australian Open match against Ben Shelton on Monday.

Monfils, 38, became the oldest ATP title-winner ever with his victory in the Auckland Classic, before dumping fourth seed Taylor Fritz out of the Australian Open last week.

However, his matches at Melbourne Park have been far from straightforward, with a total of over 12 hours spent on court and his first-round meeting with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard lasting five sets.

"At the end of the day, it's been a very long tour for me, playing a lot of matches, spending a lot of hours," Monfils told reporters after retiring while trailing 7-6(3) 6-7(3) 7-6(2) 1-0.

"Of course, some days are tougher. Today was one where I think I was already very close from the limit, and I think I passed it, unfortunately...

"When you win, win, win, win, oh, to lose is not easy. I had a great week in Auckland. I won Auckland. I was running to take the flight. The next morning I was in practice already. Then practice again. Then play four hours almost against Giovanni."

 

 

Monfils embraced Shelton at the net after making the decision to retire and was given a standing ovation by the crowd at the Margaret Court Arena, which was conducted by the 22-year-old American.

"I love Ben. I love him. This kid is amazing. He's full of energy. He's a great guy, great kid. Of course, it's always too bad to play someone that you love, but we put the fighting spirit," Monfils said.

"That's why I still want to make it tough for him, but at the end, of course, now I'm rooting for him. He's a guy that I really appreciate spending time with him, talking with him, sharing anything. We laugh. He's just an amazing kid."

Monfils was cheered on during the match by wife and Ukrainian 28th seed Elina Svitolina, who defeated Veronika Kudermetova 6-4 6-1 in the women's singles earlier on Monday.

The Frenchman said Svitolina was likely more stressed than he was, adding: "It's more stressful because you're not in control, you want to help, and you can just help with talking, but it's different.

"Because when you play yourself, you really want to help sometimes."

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