The Australian Open’s fifth day belonged to top talents Jannik Sinner, Taylor Fritz, and Naomi Osaka, who all advanced to the third round after straight-sets demolition jobs—well, almost for Osaka. Their successes amid fierce competition signal serious title aspirations in Melbourne’s premier tennis spectacle.
World No. 2 Sinner was ruthless against wildcard James Duckworth, prevailing 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena in 109 minutes. His unblemished 9-0 Grand Slam record against Aussies held firm as he repelled all three break threats. Sinner’s clean, powerful tennis left Duckworth scrambling.
Poised for another deep run—his third consecutive here—Sinner meets Elliott Spizzirri next. The American underdog faces an uphill battle against the Italian’s flawless execution and mental fortitude.
In the evening, Taylor Fritz outlasted Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(4) over nearly two hours. Despite Kopriva closing the gap late, Fritz’s 15 aces and 79% first-serve success rate proved decisive. Converting four breaks from seven chances, he showcased veteran savvy.
Aiming to match prior third-round feats, Fritz silenced doubters after a rocky year start. His serve, a weapon throughout, overwhelmed the Czech, who managed just three aces. Fritz’s hunger for more is palpable.
Osaka’s women’s draw battle saw her topple Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in two hours. Back-to-back three-set wins highlight her grit. As the last Japanese standing, she’ll clash with home qualifier Madison Inglis, a matchup blending nostalgia with fresh ambition.