Sinner surges into last 16, Swiatek crushes Raducanu

Defending champion Jannik Sinner raced to victory at the Australian Open on Saturday to sweep into the last 16 as Iga Swiatek demolished Emma Raducanu.

- Agencies

MELBOURNE:

Also into the second week is 38-year-old Gael Monfils after he stunned fourth seed Taylor Fritz, with the veteran's wife Elina Svitolina also enjoying a shock win immediately after on the same court.

American qualifier Learner Tien, 19, won in straight sets to extend his fairytale run on his debut in Melbourne.

Italian world number one Sinner dropped a set for the first time in 14 matches in the second round.

But there were no such wobbles against the unseeded Marcos Giron on Rod Laver Arena as he sprinted home 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in 2hr 1min, slamming 35 winners and eight aces.

Awaiting him next is either Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic or Danish 13th seed Holger Rune.

"Trying to stay there mentally, which I think is the most important aspect for us tennis players," said the 23-year-old Sinner.

French showman Monfils rolled back the years to storm back and defeat the American Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4.

The unseeded Monfils, who hit a career-high ranking of six in 2016 but is now 41st, is enjoying a late-career flourish.