Australian Open Prediction: Jannik Sinner vs Luciano Darderi
12:00 AM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Jannik Sinner -5000 / Luciano Darderi +1800
Defending champion Jannik Sinner will face countryman Luciano Darderi for a spot in the 2026 Australian Open quarterfinals. The match is scheduled for Monday, January 26. Here’s our Jannik Sinner vs Luciano Darderi prediction. This preview will also include a Jannik Sinner vs Luciano Darderi pick.
Jannik Sinner vs Luciano Darderi Preview
Jannik Sinner overcame cramps to beat an inspired Elliot Spizzirri in the last round and keep his title defense alive. The defending champion looked in trouble when he went a set down and was a break down in the third set when the match was halted because of the heat rule that was enforced in the tournament and the roof was closed. Upon resumption, Spizzirri lost his momentum and Sinner managed to break him twice and clinch the third set to lead by two sets to one. Again, Sinner recovered from an early break deficit in the third set before easing to victory after three hours and 42 minutes.
Sinner dropped a set for the first time this week but admitted he was lucky with the invocation of the Grand Slam heat rule after temperatures crept towards the 40 degrees Celsius mark. Sinner hit 56 winners in total in the match, but accumulated half a century of unforced errors. He won 65% of first serve points (57/88) and 42% of second serve points (18/43). Sinner saved 10 of 16 break points.
Luciano Darderi is through to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time. The World No. 25 had never won a main draw match in Melbourne before this week, but knocked out Cristian Garin in straight sets in the first round. Darderi then beat an in-form Sebastian Baez in four sets in the second round to equal his career-best run in a major tournament.
The Italian took advantage of an off-color Karen Khachanov in the third round, where he prevailed 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 26 minutes. Darderi hit 43 winners and 37 unforced errors in the victory. That included 17 aces and 4 double faults. He landed 59% of first serves in play and won 78% of first serve points (58/74). Darderi won 55% of second serve points (28/51) and saved two of four break points.
Jannik Sinner vs Luciano Darderi Head-To-Head
Sinner and Darderi have never played before this, so this will be their first career meeting.
Jannik Sinner vs Luciano Darderi Prediction
The forecast suggests that Monday’s temperatures will likely be less brutal, but Sinner’s main concern will be recurrent cramps. This being a night match won’t complicate it. Darderi has certainly overachieved in this tournament. If he were to achieve his first Grand Slam last 16 run, it was likely to come on clay, which is his best surface. But his newfound mentality and aggressive tennis have shone throughout the first week.