Jannik Sinner made light work of Luciano Darderi to book his spot in the last eight of the Australian Open.

Sinner, who could face 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, will take on Casper Ruud or Ben Shelton in the quarters.

The two-time reigning champion, who is aiming to become just the second man, after Djokovic, in the Open Era to win three successive Australian Open titles, beat compatriot Darderi 6-1 6-3 7-6 (7-2).

Sinner's serve was on point, as the world number two struck 19 aces, setting a new record for a grand slam match.

18 - Jannik Sinner is the second player in the Open Era to win his first 18 ATP-level matches against compatriots, after Guillermo Vilas. Outrageous.#AusOpen | @AustralianOpen @atptour @OptaPaolo pic.twitter.com/zlfqrNedQd

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 26, 2026

He will be joined in the quarter-finals by fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti, who overwhelmed Taylor Fritz 6-2 7-5 6-4.

Musetti, the world number five, will now take on Djokovic, who was handed a walkover due to Jakub Mensik's withdrawal.

"Novak, we've played many, many times and every time it's a lesson," said Musetti.

"He didn't have to play today, so I'm pretty sure he won't be tired. Hopefully, the rhythm I have right now with the great match today will bring me luck for the next one.

"I feel ready to try to push him to the maximum."

Djokovic holds a 9-1 career record against Musetti.

Data Debrief: Sinner's Italian job

Sinner is the second player in the Open Era to win his first 18 ATP-level matches against compatriots, after Guillermo Vilas.

The 24-year-old now holds the fifth-longest winning streak in men's singles at the Australian Open in the Open Era (18, equalling Jim Courier's run between 1992 and 1994).

Sinner is the third-youngest man in the Open Era to reach the quarter-finals in nine consecutive majors, older only than Pete Sampras and Djokovic.