The Italian, seeded fourth, convincingly defeated Andrey Rublev with a 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-3 victory on Tuesday night in Melbourne, maintaining his flawless set record at the 2024 hard-court Grand Slam. Sinner showcased a high-quality performance in the quarter-final, securing the win in a two-hour, 39-minute battle between two prominent ballstrikers on the ATP Tour.
Expressing the challenges of facing Rublev, Sinner mentioned, “It’s obviously very tough to play against him. We had some very tough matches already in the past, and today was three sets, but I could have lost.” He acknowledged the pivotal moments in the first set when Rublev had numerous break points, emphasizing his own effective serving during those crucial moments. Sinner described the pace of the game as rapid, focusing on reaction and strategic movement.
Suggested Read: When is the Australian Open 2024 Final?
Advancing to his first semi-final in five appearances at Melbourne Park, Sinner is now set to face the World No. 1 and 10-time Australian Open champion, Novak Djokovic, in a highly anticipated last-four clash. Their previous head-to-head encounters in 2023 saw a 2-2 split, with Sinner securing notable victories in the Nitto ATP Finals group stage and at the Davis Cup Finals. While Djokovic leads the overall matchup 4-2, Sinner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to face him again, acknowledging the tough challenge ahead and emphasizing his commitment to giving his best effort in the match.
Suggested Read: Australian Open Legends – Iconic Players Who Defined an Era
David Conn, a distinguished sports journalist with 20 years of experience, is a trusted voice in sports reporting. Known for his precision in dissecting NFL plays, analyzing NHL strategies, exploring soccer finesse, and diving into basketball tactics, Conn brings an unwavering commitment to storytelling. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of sports through Conn’s nuanced understanding of athletes, strategies, and narratives in NFL, NHL, football, soccer, basketball, and more.
