Jannik Sinner easily defeated Luciano Darderi on Sunday to advance at the Australian Open.
The Italian world number two proved too strong for his compatriot, completing a 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 victory in two hours and nine minutes.
Sinner survived an almighty scare earlier in the tournament – fighting through full-body cramps against Eliot Spizzirri – but he has since found his groove.
The Italian, who is looking to prevent Carlos Alcaraz from completing the ‘Career Grand Slam,’ will play Ben Shelton in the next round after the American defeated Casper Ruud.
Sinner’s victory against Darderi secured the Italian a place in the quarter-finals and in the history books.
Who would win this legendary showdown?
Jannik Sinner usurps Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
As per OptaAce, Jannik Sinner is the third-youngest player in the Open Era to reach the quarter-finals at nine or more consecutive Grand Slam men’s singles events. Sinner was aged 24 years and 155 days when he completed the feat on Monday.
At 22 years and 285 days, 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras was the youngest in history to achieve the feat.
Novak Djokovic, a 10-time champion in Australia, accomplished this statistical feat while aged 24 years and 29 days.
By reaching the quarter-finals in Melbourne, Sinner has usurped Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Federer was aged 24 years and 322 days when he reached nine consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals. Nadal was aged 25 years and 87 days.
Sinner could make his ninth consecutive Grand Slam semi-final appearance if he defeats Ben Shelton in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Roger Federer’s unbelievable quarter-final record
As things stand, Jannik Sinner is only one-quarter of the way to equalling Roger Federer’s remarkable Grand Slam quarter-final record.
Between Wimbledon 2004 and the 2013 French Open, Federer reached 36 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals – a record that stands to this day.
What would have happened if Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played at the same time as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
Rafael Nadal’s longest streak was 11 consecutive quarter-final appearances between the 2009 US Open and 2012 French Open.
Novak Djokovic made 28 consecutive last eight appearances between 2009 Wimbledon and the 2016 French Open.
