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

rugby20 January 2025 09:50| © AFP
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Lorenzo Sonego © 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."


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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.

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