Defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner fought back from a set down to defeat wildcard Tristan Schoolkate in a thrilling four-set battle at the Australian Open, maintaining his title defense with a gritty 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 victory.
Jannik Sinner, the world’s top seed and last year’s champion, arrived in Melbourne riding a remarkable streak, having not dropped a set since October. But it was Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate who momentarily stole the show on Rod Laver Arena. The world number 173 delighted the partisan crowd by claiming the opening set 6-4, snapping Sinner’s 29-set unbeaten run in the process.
For Schoolkate, this was a career-defining moment. Backed by raucous home support, he struck with precision and courage, seizing his chance at 5-4 to snatch the opener. Sinner, however, responded like a true champion, shifting into a higher gear to dominate the remainder of the match.
The 23-year-old Italian showcased his signature blend of power and agility, taking control in the second set before racing through the next two with an imposing display of baseline aggression. By the time Sinner wrapped up the fourth set 6-3, the crowd’s cheers had turned to admiration for his brilliance.
Speaking about his title defense, Sinner reflected on the journey: “It’s a different feeling, but so many beautiful moments, on and off the court, have happened to me here. It’s still a very, very long way to go. We go day by day.”
This victory not only secured Sinner’s place in the third round but also added another chapter to his Australian Open legacy. At just 23, he became the youngest player to record nine consecutive singles wins at the tournament since Novak Djokovic’s streak in 2008-09.
However, Sinner’s campaign comes amid a shadow of controversy. The Italian is awaiting a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing in April, following an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency after he was cleared of doping charges earlier this year. Despite the off-court challenges, Sinner’s focus on his game remains unwavering, and his performance against Schoolkate demonstrated why he remains a favorite to lift the trophy again.
