Sinner Excited With Performance After Reaching Australian Open Third Round

Defending Champion Jannik Sinner booked his place in the third round of the 2026 Australian Open with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory over James Duckworth on Thursday.

It was a dominant performance from Sinner, who is aiming for a third successive title in Melbourne.

Duckworth struggled to cope with his accurate forehand.

He earned a shock 2-1 lead in the second set before Sinner recovered to seal a deserved win.

The world number one was satisfied with his performance in the encounter.

Sinner said: “I am satisfied. Have I improved in all areas compared to the first round? It’s hard for me to say. Every match is different.

“During my first years on tour, I spent a lot of time on the tournament grounds, in the locker room, in the restaurants.

“I felt like I was returning very, very well today also the serve was really good so I’m very happy about my performance.

“I feel like I’m in good shape at the moment. I know how much hard work I’ve put in so the body feels good, also the mind is in a good moment. The first tournament of the year is always very, very special for all of us.

He also described the Australian Open as a special event.

Sinner concluded: “It’s a very special tournament for me, and this is a very special court in the past years. Let’s see what’s coming this year.”

Meanwhile, Czech 19-year-old qualifier Nikola Bartunkova stunned Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, knocking out the 10th seed with a 6-3, 0-6, 6-4 victory.

LElena Rybakina secured a comprehensive 7-5 6-2 victory over Varvara Gracheva, while Iga Swiatek blazed past Marie Bouzkova 6-2, 6-3.

Naomi Osaka’s three-set win over Sorana Cirstea was overshadowed by a post-game row, with the Romanian unhappy at Osaka for shouting between serves.