WORLD number one Jannik Sinner has dismantled hopes of a local Australian Open champion this year after breezing past eighth seed Alex de Minaur in last night’s quarter-final at Rod Laver Arena. The Italian took under two hours to win in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, and continue his title defence.

>> SCROLL to see the draw & results

Now boasting a 10-0 record against the Australian, Sinner was unwavering on serve and punishing on return. He won 83 per cent of his service points and crushed de Minaur’s second serve, taking 61 per cent of points off it. He also claimed nearly half of the return points he kept in play (14/30).

For all the heart and effort de Minaur offered, he lacked any genuine threat to the 23-year-old defending champion. That showed in the winners differential, with Sinner notching 27 to the Aussie’s 10. The contest got exceedingly easier for the victor as it wore on.

“On days like these when you break early in each set it’s a little bit easier,” Sinner said post-match.

“He’s a tough competitor and an amazing player. These kinds of matches they can go quickly, but they can change very fast if I go down with the level a little bit and he takes the opportunities, so I’m very happy about my performance today.”

Having battled through physical duress during his fourth round win over Holger Rune, Sinner showed no such signs of injury after a steady rest day.

“Yesterday was a very easy day, I played just half an hour, 40 minutes,” Sinner explained. “Talking about general physical [condition], especially when you’re young, you recover very fast, it’s a bit different.”

Sinner advances to his second Australian open semi, where he will meet American Ben Shelton. The winner of that match will face either Novak Djokovic or Alexander Zverev in the final, leaving a 50 per cent chance of crowning a maiden Grand Slam winner.

Shelton progressed to his second major semi-final by besting Lorenzo Sonego over four sets, 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6. The 21st seed was efficient on serve, landing 71 per cent of his first serves and winning 75 per cent of points off them to help withstand the Italian’s onslaught.

“I feel relieved right now,” Shelton said post-match. “Shout out Lorenzo Sonego, because that was some ridiculous tennis. I’m just happy to go through, to get my first win on Rod Laver Arena. It was one of my favourite matches of my career.”

>> DAY 10: Vintage Djokovic schools young star

AUSTRALIAN OPEN MEN’S QUARTER FINALS

A. Zverev [2] def. T. Paul [12] 7-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1
N. Djokovic [7] def. C. Alcaraz [3] 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4
J. Sinner [1] def. A. de Minaur [8] 6-3, 6-2, 6-1
B. Shelton [21] vs. L. Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6

SEMI-FINALS DRAW:

N. Djokovic [7] vs. A. Zverev [2]
J. Sinner [1] vs. B. Shelton [21]