Jannik Sinner vs Luciano Darderi prediction, betting tips & odds, head-to-head, preview: Australian Open 2026
Jannik Sinner and Luciano Darderi will face each other for the first time.
Jannik Sinner will face Luciano Darderi in an all-Italian fourth-round clash at the Australian Open 2026 on Monday, January 26 in the Melbourne heat at Margaret Court Arena.
Jannik Sinner’s third-round clash might have ended in a four-set victory, but those watchinng the match would know it had been far from smooth for the defending champion.
The Italian showed rare signs of physical vulnerability, in extreme heat, with cramps and movement issues. These struggles have raised questions about his endurance across long, demanding matches in Melbourne conditions.
Against Eliot Spizzirri, Sinner was visibly hampered by cramps as temperatures soared close to 40°C. After dropping his first set of the year, he found himself trailing early in the third set, and appeared on the brink of a major upset before the Australian Open heat policy forced the roof to close on Rod Laver Arena.
The extended break allowed Sinner to cool down, stretch, and regain control, ultimately helping him escape a dangerous situation in a match that was far closer than the four-set scoreline suggested. Sinner himself admitted that he got away, and was lucky with the heat rule.
The closure of the roof and break in play allowed him to rest and recover, thereby even interrupting Spizzirri’s momentum. The Italian will hope to move past this result, and take the learnings into the next match. It will be an all-Italian contest for a place in the final eight.
Luciano Darderi produced the biggest win of his career by stunning 15th seed Karen Khachanov 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time.
The 23-year-old showed remarkable composure in key moments, winning a tense opening tiebreak before responding strongly after dropping the second set.
Match details
- Tournament: Australian Open 2026
- Round: Fourth round
- Date: January 26
- Venue: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia
- Surface: Hard Court
Preview
While Jannik Sinner has been brutal across tournaments to every tennis player barring Carlos Alcaraz, this third-round scare was the second time he escaped from the clutches of defeat. The previous instance was in Wimbledon last yera against Grigor Dimitrov.
However, what truly sets the Italian apart from the rest of the field is the way he responds to adversity. At Wimbledon, Sinner swiftly returned to his ruthless best, brushing aside Ben Shelton in the very next match before going on to lift the title.
While Luciano Darderi has earned his place in the round of 16, he now faces the World No. 2, who will be fully focused on delivering a statement performance and reasserting his dominance over the field.
Form
- Jannik Sinner: W-W-W-W-W
- Luciano Darderi: W-W-W-L-W
Head-to-head record
- Matches: 0
- Sinner: 0
- Darderi: 0
Stats
Jannik Sinner
- Sinner has a 25-4 win-loss record in Melbourne
- Sinner was the 2025 Australian Open champion
- Sinner has a 76.39% winning record on hardcourt
Luciano Darderi
- Darderi has a 3-3 win-loss record in Melbourne
- Darderi reached the first round at the 2025 Australian Open
- Darderi has a 52.24% winning record on hardcourt
Jannik Sinner vs Luciano Darderi: Betting tips and odds
- Moneyline: Sinner -3300, Darderi +1700
- Spread: Sinner -8.5 (-111), Darderi +9 (-120)
- Total Games: Over 29 (-115), Under 30 (-115)
- First Set Winner: Sinner -1060, Darderi +598
Match prediction
Sinner’s imperfect win against Spizzirri might not be great news for his fourth round rival Darderi. Having to contend with arguably the best player in the sport is a daunting task in itself, but Sinner will also be keen to remind everyone of his near invincibility on the big stage.
Few would want to trade places with Darderi, who can expect little mercy from his fellow Italian. This has all the makings of a statement response from the defending champion, as Sinner has been granted the cushion of playing under the lights and will look to get his title defence firmly back on track.
Result: Jannik Sinner to win in straight sets.
Where and how to watch live streaming and TV broadcast of Jannik Sinner vs Luciano Darderi, fourth-round match at Australian Open 2026?
The round of 16 clash in men’s singles will be available for the Indian viewers on the Sony Sports Network on TV and its streaming service Sony Liv.
In the USA, the first Major of the year is being telecasted on the ESPN sports network and is being streamed on Fubo. In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on Eurosport. It will also be available for users on the Discovery+ app.
Full worldwide broadcast details here.
What happened to Jannik Sinner in his third-round match at Australian Open 2026?
Sinner struggled with cramps and physical discomfort in extreme heat and was close to an upset before the roof closure helped him recover.
How did the heat rule affect the match?
Due to temperatures nearing 40°C, officials closed the roof at Rod Laver Arena, allowing a break in play that helped Sinner cool down and regain momentum.
Who will Sinner face in the fourth round?
He will face fellow Italian Luciano Darderi in an all-Italian Round of 16 clash.
How did Luciano Darderi reach the fourth round?
Darderi defeated 15th seed Karen Khachanov in four sets to reach the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time.
What is the predicted outcome of the match?
The prediction suggests Sinner is likely to win in straight sets.
Where can fans watch the match in India?
Indian viewers can watch on Sony Sports Network and stream it on Sony Liv.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.