Jannik Sinner to Play Alex de Minaur in Aussie Quarter-Final
Australian Open
January 20, 2025
Jannik Sinner will face intense heat of a different kind when he takes his next step towards Australian Open glory.
He suffered in Monday’s powerful Melbourne sun – but knows a new challenge is just around the corner.
The Italian will face “The Demon” – Alex de Minaur – and a passionate Australian crowd on Wednesday.
Jannik Sinner will relish the challenge as he seeks to defend his title.
Aussie hero De Minaur defeated Alex Michelsen 6-0, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 – and couldn’t wait to take on Sinner.
He explained: ‘It’s going to be an amazing atmosphere and I’m really looking forward to it.
‘For the first time in the tournament I’m the underdog. I have nothing to lose! I’m playing against the number one in the world. It’s going to be a breath of fresh air.’
And fresh air was what Sinner seemed to be sorely lacking as he temporarily wilted in the heat during his own match against Holger Rune.
Jannik was visibly shaking from apparent heat stroke. But he recovered after medical assistance to win by 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
He also appeared to break the net with the power of his serve at one point, causing the sort of delay no one had ever seen before.
‘It was interesting match,’ reflected De Minaur as he thought about that and Sinner’s heat ordeal. But Alex hopes to give the best around another ordeal on Wednesday.
‘I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be an incredibly tough match. I’m going to have to do something I haven’t done before. But why not start here?’
The Demon is certainly going to have to find even more dastardly tricks if he is to stand a chance of an upset. Thousands in the stands will be willing him to simply fire down his first serve more consistently for starters.
But they’re already delighted that he has reached his first Australian Open quarter-final at long last.
De Minaur told the crowd on Rod Laver: ‘It means the world. This one was a long time coming. I love you guys too, so much. There’s nothing I want to do more than play well here in Australia in front of you guys.
‘This was a milestone I hadn’t reached before. But yeah let’s go for bigger and better things! Come on!’
Jannik Sinner will go into the Demon’s cauldron trying to let his tennis do the talking.
| Jannik Sinner | 11 straight Australian Open wins |
| Alex de Minaur | First Australian Open quarter final |
But there was a little tribute from De Minaur to Brit tennis star Katie Boulter, who will marry her Aussie darling soon.
‘I don’t believe in coincidences. When you’re happy off the court, you play good tennis on the court,’ Alex said.
Come and see how the loving couple, Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter fair at her home Slam too – Wimbledon 2025!
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