Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against USA’s Marcos Giron during their men's singles match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 18, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --
Desk news:
Defending champion Jannik Sinner raced to victory at the Australian Open on Saturday to sweep into the last 16 as Iga Swiatek demolished Emma Raducanu.
Also into the second week is 38-year-old Gael Monfils after he stunned fourth seed Taylor Fritz — with the veteran’s wife Elina Svitolina also enjoying a shock win immediately after on the same court.
American qualifier Learner Tien, 19, won in straight sets to extend his fairytale run on his debut in Melbourne.
Italian world number one Sinner dropped a set for the first time in 14 matches in the second round.
But there were no such wobble against the unseeded Marcos Giron on Rod Laver Arena as he sprinted home 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in 2hr 1min, slamming 35 winners and eight aces.
Awaiting him next is either Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic or Danish 13th seed Holger Rune.
‘Trying to stay there mentally, which I think is the most important aspect for us tennis players,’ said the 23-year-old Sinner.
French showman Monfils rolled back the years to storm back and defeat the American Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4.
The unseeded Monfils, who hit a career-high ranking of six in 2016 but is now 41st, is enjoying a late-career flourish.
A week ago he became the oldest singles champion in ATP Tour history when he swept to victory at the Auckland Classic.
He is married to Ukrainian Svitolina, who emulated his giant-killing efforts when she defeated world number four Jasmine Paolini, also on Margaret Court Arena.
Svitolina came though 2-6, 6-4, 6-0.
‘I warmed up the court for her,’ joked Monfils.
Tien became the youngest man to reach the fourth round since Rafael Nadal in 2005 when he overcame injured Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
The gifted teenager won 7-6 (12/10), 6-3, 6-3 with Moutet collapsing clutching his leg in the third set before gingerly carrying on.
‘Honestly it feels pretty crazy to be in the second week,’ he said.
