Sinner reaches Australian Open last 16 with strong win

Defending champion Jannik Sinner powers past Marcos Giron in straight sets to continue his title defense.

Italy's Jannik Sinner serves during the men's singles third-round match against Marcos Giron of the United States on day seven of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 18, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images

By Amanda Zahra and Widya Putri

Defending champion Jannik Sinner continues to build momentum at the Australian Open, delivering a commanding performance to secure a straight-sets victory over unseeded American Marcos Giron. Sinner, the world number one, dispatched Giron 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena in just over two hours, demonstrating why he is one of the most formidable players on the tour.

Sinner’s 35 winners and eight aces underscored his dominance, as he made quick work of his opponent. Reflecting on his performance, Sinner expressed satisfaction with his progress. “For sure, the first goal was to get into the second week. I’m very happy to be here again,” said the 23-year-old Italian, who claimed eight titles last year, including the US Open and ATP Finals.

After dropping a set in his second-round match against Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate, Sinner showcased a much more assured performance against Giron. His confidence on the court is growing, as he adapts to the conditions and improves with each match.

“It felt like today was maybe the best match in the way of how I tried to play,” Sinner noted. “I still made some mistakes, but it’s okay. I felt like I was hitting the ball a little bit better than in the previous rounds. Of course, I want to raise my level in the next match.”

Sinner’s next challenge will be against either Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic or Danish 13th seed Holger Rune. Both opponents will face a player riding a 17-match winning streak, a run that dates back to Sinner’s loss to Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing last October.

Sinner wasted no time asserting his dominance against Giron. Breaking Giron’s serve in the opening game, he set the tone for the match. While he made 11 unforced errors in the first set—two more than his opponent—his superior shot-making ensured he stayed in control.

In the second set, Sinner waited patiently for his opportunity, breaking Giron in the fifth game. A wide forehand from the American gave Sinner a 3-2 lead, and the Italian capitalized on his momentum to close out the set.

The third set saw Sinner continue his aggressive play, breaking Giron early to go 2-0 up. Although Giron showed resilience by breaking back to level the set at 2-2, Sinner responded immediately, breaking again and reestablishing his dominance. He then reeled off the next four games to seal a comprehensive victory.

Sinner’s willingness to experiment with different strategies, including serve-and-volley plays and drop shots, highlights his growing versatility as a player. “I went for shots. I tried to make some serve and volleys, some drop shots, trying to have a good feel with the court,” he said.

This adaptability, combined with his powerful baseline game, has been a key factor in his rise to the top of the rankings. “When you play good, you realize that you’re playing some good tennis, which gives you a very calm mindset,” Sinner added. “Knowing that today it might be a good day.”

This marks the first time Sinner is defending a Grand Slam title, following his thrilling five-set victory over Daniil Medvedev in last year’s final. The experience of playing under the pressure of being a defending champion has only strengthened his resolve.

Giron, ranked 46 in the world, was bidding to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time but struggled to match Sinner’s intensity and shot-making ability. Despite his best efforts, Giron found himself overwhelmed by the Italian’s relentless play.

Sinner’s performance at the Australian Open so far has reinforced his status as one of the tournament favorites. With his confidence growing and his game evolving, he appears well-equipped to make another deep run.

Awaiting him in the next round is a challenging opponent in either Kecmanovic or Rune, but Sinner’s current form and focus suggest he is more than ready to meet the challenge.

As the Australian Open progresses, Sinner’s journey will be one to watch closely, with the defending champion aiming to solidify his position as the world’s best player and capture his second title at Melbourne Park.

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