The most interesting match on Monday 20 January at the 2025 Australian Open is certainly the one between Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune. These two players have always played very spectacular and balanced matches against each other, with the h2h balance in perfect parity at 2-2.
The world number 1 reached the second week of the Happy Slam losing only one set (after 102 days) and has not yet engaged high gears, but his intention is to defend the title won at Melbourne Park twelve months ago.
The Italian ace is the top favorite to lift the trophy next Sunday, but he is aware that he has to raise his level in the decisive stages of the tournament. The 2-time Grand Slam champion loves this surface and is able to play exceptional and consistent tennis, as he showed last year by losing just 6 matches in total.
“I know Rune very well. We have faced each other several times and they have always been very tough battles, let’s see what happens this time” – confessed Jannik on the eve of the match. “Holger is able to reach a very high level, so I am aware that I have to play better than in recent days” – added the defending champion.
Rune is dangerous for Sinner
The young Dane has truly remarkable potential, but his rise has come to an abrupt halt in the last year and a half due to several reasons. Rune has had a few injuries in recent months and has changed his team several times, switching from Patrick Mouratoglou to Severin Luthi before returning to the French coach again.
The results were not brilliant in 2024 and Holger has again parted ways with Mouratoglou, although he continues to train often at his academy. The 2022 Paris-Bercy champion could be the toughest obstacle for Sinner towards the final, especially after Taylor Fritz’s premature elimination against Gael Monfils.
The world number 1 must also be careful of Alex de Minaur, who is playing the best tennis of his career and can count on the support of an entire country.
Tennis World USA