By Tony Fairbairn
- Jannik Sinner [1] v Holger Rune [13]
- Elena Rybakina [6] v Madison Keys [19]
- Ben Shelton [21] v Gael Monfils
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Jannik Sinner’s title defence will receive a stern test when he takes on Holger Rune on day nine of the Australian Open for a place in the quarter-finals.
 |
|---|
Jannik Sinner [1] v Holger Rune [13] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jannik Sinner [1] v Holger Rune [13] | H2H: Tied at 2-2 |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$420,000 |
| Second on Rod Laver Arena (Not before 03:00 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player |
After a mini-scare against Tristan Schoolkate, world number one Jannik Sinner was back to his dominant self with a straight sets win over Marcos Giron. The Italian is now on a 17 match winning streak in best of five set matches on hard courts as his first Grand Slam title defence has run smoothly so far. As tougher tests approach in the second week, Sinner will be aware that he will need to play much better than he already has so far if he wants to claim a third Grand Slam title.
The tests start now as Sinner faces Holger Rune in the last 16 after the Dane defeated Miomir Kecmanovic in five sets to reach the second week. Rune’s tactical ability has often been criticised over the past year with the 13th seed not reaching the potential that he is capable of. However to Rune’s credit he has remained disciplined and found solutions when it matters most to get his career back on track. Now he will look to show why he is a credible Grand Slam threat as he aims for the biggest Grand Slam win of his career.
Sinner will look for depth on the forehand side in order to force Rune behind the baseline and will need to have a very good serving day as he looks to neutralise the Dane’s returning ability. Meanwhile Rune will use the forehand to set up aggressive returns as he looks to force Sinner on the backfoot and use angles to force Sinner into uncomfortable positions on the court. This should be an entertaining battle with Rune expected to play with freedom. However, Sinner should have too much consistent quality as he aims for a second consecutive Australian Open quarter-final.
Prediction: Sinner in four sets.
Elena Rybakina [6] v Madison Keys [19] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Elena Rybakina [6] v Madison Keys [19] | H2H: Tied at 2-2 |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$420,000 |
| Second on Margaret Court Arena (Not before 03:00 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player |
Despite the build-up to the Australian Open being about coaching controversy, Elena Rybakina has done well to steady the ship and has eased into the last 16 in Melbourne. The former finalist has something to prove in Australia having virtually been written off for the title before the tournament. However the Kazakh has done massive damage so far at the Australian Open and the sixth seed knows that she can beat anyone on any given day.
The next big obstacle for Rybakina is the in-form Madison Keys who just doesn’t know how to lose at the moment. After a second round scare, Keys produced a dominant display against Danielle Collins to reach the last 16 in Australia for the sixth time in her career. The American’s form has been sensational having won the Adelaide title the week before the Australian Open title and now the 19th seed will aim to ferociously outhit her opponents in order to achieve Grand Slam glory.
Rybakina will continue to take risks on serve as she will use the backhand to push Keys behind the baseline. Meanwhile Keys will use the forehand to get one step ahead in the rally and dictate play. This will be an entertaining contest with both players playing some incredible tennis but Keys’ recent form and quality means that she starts this match as favourite.
Prediction: Keys in three sets.
 |
|---|
Ben Shelton [21] v Gael Monfils H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Ben Shelton [21] v Gael Monfils | H2H: First Meeting |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$420,000 |
| Third on Margaret Court Arena (04:30 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player |
It was at the Australian Open where Ben Shelton broke through at Grand Slam and it’s in Melbourne where he is going under the radar. A tough four set win over Lorenzo Musetti means Shelton is into the last 16 for the second time at the Australian Open. An explosive serve and incredible athleticism means Shelton will be a threat in the second week as he aims for a second Australian Open quarter-final.
Speaking of explosive forehands and incredible athleticism, Shelton will now play Gael Monfils in the fourth round after the Frenchman knocked out fourth seed Taylor Fritz in four sets. It’s been an incredible start to the season for Monfils who came into the Australian Open having won the Auckland title. Now Monfils enters the second week in Australia for a sixth time and will look to roll back the clock in order to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final since reaching the last eight in 2022.
Shelton will use his serve to neutralize Monfils’ energetic returning as the American will aim to finish points off at the net. Meanwhile Monfiils will use the forehand to pin Shelton behind the baseline as he will aim for precision on serve. This should be one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament with both players expected to bring the firepower in this aesthetically pleasing contest. Shelton is narrow favourite but if Monfils continues to elevate his level then the Frenchman could be reaching another Grand Slam quarter-final.
Prediction: Shelton in five sets.
How to Watch/Follow Australian Open 2025
| Live Stream | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player |
| Live Scores | Tennis Scores Powered By TNNSLIVE |
| Follow Britwatch - Sport in General, Brits in Particular! | |
|---|---|
| Soundcloud | |
| YouTube | |
| We may receive compensation for products purchased via affiliate links on this website | |