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Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka advance at Australian Open

Updated / Thursday, 22 Jan 2026 15:04
Jannik Sinner stretches every sinew as he lunges to make a forehand
Jannik Sinner stretches every sinew as he lunges to make a forehand

Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner outclassed home wildcard James Duckworth 6-1 6-4 6-2 to stroll into the third round of the Australian Open.

The Italian world number two was in no mood for an extended shift on Rod Laver Arena as he set up a clash with American Eliot Spizzirri.

From the moment Sinner landed a backhand winner in the corner to break Duckworth's serve in the fourth game, he was in control.

Sinner claimed the first set in 26 minutes and although Duckworth offered more resistance in the second, the Italian's power and placement was too much for his 34-year-old opponent, who has never gone past the second round.

The end came quickly as Sinner finished off a one-sided contest with an ace.

"Every match is difficult, so happy to be in the next round," Sinner, who has won his last 12 matches without dropping a set, said on court. "Very happy with my performance.

"I know how much work I've put in so the body feels good and the mind is in a good moment."

Novak Djokovic brushed aside Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli 6-3 6-2 6-2 on Thursday to reach the Australian Open third round.

Fourth seed Djokovic, seeking a record-extending 11th Melbourne Park title and 25th grand slam trophy overall to break the deadlock with Margaret Court, maintained his steady grip on the second-round clash without needing to shift into top gear.

"I didn't know much about him (Maestrelli) until a few days ago, it happens more often than not these days," Djokovic said about his 23-year-old opponent.

"But the respect is always there and I didn't underestimate him. He's got a big serve and a big game, only lacking a bit of experience. He's got the game to go far and high in the world rankings and I wish him that."

Djokovic, 38, raced through the opening set and pounced again in the opening game of the second set to heap pressure on world number 141 Maestrelli.

The win was Djokovic's 399th grand slam match victory, and his 101st in Melbourne, leaving him one shy of record-holder Roger Federer. Djokovic will next meet Botic van de Zandschulp.

Stan Wawrinka's Australian Open swansong will have a third act after the former champion defied his years to win the longest match of the tournament.

The Swiss veteran, who will retire at the end of the season, is the first player to reach the third round at a grand slam past his 40th birthday since Ken Rosewall at the same tournament back in 1978, and he needed four hours and 33 minutes to get through.

Queues snaked around Melbourne Park with fans hoping to watch Wawrinka’s match against French qualifier Arthur Gea.

Those lucky enough to be in Kia Arena urged on the 2014 winner as he rode a series of twists and turns, twice coming from a set down before finally prevailing against French qualifier Arthur Gea 4-6 6-3 3-6 7-5 7-6 (10-3) in a deciding tie-break.

It was the 49th time Wawrinka has contested a five-set match at a grand slam, more than any other player, and, asked how he felt at the end, he replied: "Exhausted."

It was 21-year-old Gea, playing the first five-set match of his career, that faltered physically, though, the Frenchman struggling with his knee throughout the deciding tie-break.

"It’s my last Australian Open, I’m trying to last as long as possible," added Wawrinka as he addressed the crowd.

"I’m not young any more so I need your energy. It’s an amazing feeling to be on this court – so much noise, so much support."

Wawrinka’s reward for beating Gea is a clash with ninth seed Taylor Fritz on Friday, after the American dismissed Czech Vit Kopriva 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-4).

Lorenzo Musetti, the fifth seed, won the battle of the Italians on Margaret Court Arena as he defeated Lorenzo Sonego 6-3 6-3 6-4 and will next face either Stefano Tsitsipas or Tomas Machac.

"It was not an easy match to prepare, to play, and to deal with because Lorenzo is one of my best friends on tour," said Musetti.

"We recently had a title together in ⁠doubles, so we shared a lot of nice memories, so it's not easy to separate those things in the court."

Eighth seeded Ben Shelton had few issues against Australia's Dane Sweeny, the American claiming a 6-3 6-2 6-2 ⁠win to set up a third-round meeting with Valentin Vacherot, who defeated Australia's Rinky Hijikata 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-2.

Veteran Marin Cilic dispatched 21st seed Denis Shapovalov 6-4 6-3 6-2, while Norwegian 12th seed Casper Ruud, a three-times grand slam runner-up, carved out a comfortable 6-3 7-5 6-4 win over Spaniard Jaume Munar.

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Source: Reuters

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