Jannik Sinner and Naomi Osaka showed us that championship stuff at the Australian Open. Both of these players cruised into the third round with dominant wins. Sinner, the defending champion, made quick work of Australian James Duckworth, defeating him with a convincing 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 score. On the other hand, two-time defending champion Osaka fought her way through a tough contest with Sorana Cirstea, prevailing 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
Sinner’s win is his 27th straight tour-level victory over Australians. This remarkable run all started since his very last loss to Duckworth in Toronto back in 2021. The Italian star proved deadly efficient in their Round of 16 romp. He served up shirt ripping 18 aces, powerful ground strokes, and won decisive points in under three hours to advance to the next round. He lamented the fierce level of competition and his happiness with moving on.
“Every match is difficult. So happy to be in the next round,” – Jannik Sinner
Sinner’s Dominance Continues
In addition to the Sinner narrative, his recent form has been extraordinary. He has cruised through his past 12 matches, winning all of them in straight sets. This milestone further cements his legacy as an incredibly challenging opponent to overcome on the court. Speaking after his victory against Duckworth, Sinner spoke of his confidence with how he prepared and approached himself going into the tournament.
“I know how much work I’ve put in, so the body feels good and the mind is in a good moment,” – Jannik Sinner
Next up for Sinner will be American Eliot Spizzirri in the Round of 32. He admitted Spizzirri’s aggressive playstyle and strong serving abilities, while showing an eagerness to prepare for it.
“I’ve been watching him also last year a little bit – very aggressive on the court and a big server also,” – Jannik Sinner
Osaka Battles Through Adversity
Osaka’s match against Cirstea was a different story that came with its own challenges. The Japanese player had a rocky beginning to the match, losing the first game with her serve and committing a number of early mistakes. She didn’t lose her nerve again and went on to pull off the victory.
In-between sets during their match, Osaka took a moment to hypothetically address her future self. She required a medical timeout when she was ahead 3-1 in the final set. However, after these misfortunes, she got focused and won against Cirstea. Cirstea too had announced that she’d be retiring at year’s end.
“She’s a great player. I think this was her last Australian Open, so sorry she was mad about it.” – Naomi Osaka
In the next round third, Osaka will face Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis. Very much a champion, even a two-time defending champion, she keeps her on her game. Her focus now is to continue that momentum for the rest of the tournament.
Looking Ahead
We look forward to both players continuing their impressive runs through the tournament. Yet they are illustrations of the particularly cutthroat competitiveness that characterizes the Australian Open. With Sinner’s current run of form and Osaka’s fighting spirit, fans can look forward to more thrilling contests in the future. The upcoming rounds will most definitely push their skills and will to the limit as they compete for a fifth championship banner.
