Khakhanov's tweened lob is the point of the Australian Open: crowd speechless

The Russian delighted the crowd at Melbourne Park with a sensational shot


by LORENZO CIOTTI

Khakhanov's tweened lob is the point of the Australian Open: crowd speechless
© Julian Finney / Staff Getty Images Sport

Jannik Sinner reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open 2024 by beating Karen Khachanov in three sets. And their challenge was characterized by what is the best point of the tournament so far! At 6-4 7-5 for Jannik, the 27-year-old Russian played a shot that amazed both the crowd and his rival.

After being overtaken with a superb lob by Sinner, the Russian had only one chance to think of scoring a point for the 22-year-old well positioned at the net, that is with a lob tweener, an execution which he succeeded perfectly and made the crowd explode in the stands.

The ball hit the opponent's baseline, giving a nice consolation prize to Kachanov, who last year reached the semi-final. The Italian, having overcome the difficult resistance of the Russian, will find himself facing the quarter-finals with Andrey Rublev, who defeated the Australian Alex De Minaur.

Below the video shared by the Australian Open X account:

Sinner will face Rublev

Sinner is the only tennis player in the men's main draw not to have dropped a set at the Australian Open. The Italian tennis player reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne expressing an excellent level of play. And Sinner, as mentioned, will challenge Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals. The Russian also had to deal with a hint of cramp in the final part, but he managed the problems well and continued to fight to close the dispute.Andrey defeated De Minaur with the final score of 6-4(5) 6-7(4) 6-7, 6-3, 6-0.

"First of all, I would like to say: fantastic game from Alex. When I was 2-1 down, I got the break right away in the fourth and then he recovered again. At that point I told myself I couldn't give up and I gave everything. I put in all the energy I had available and, in the end, I managed to win," said Rublev in the post-match interview and before focusing on the physical conditions of him and Sinner.

"Cramps? I think it's normal when you play for four hours at a certain intensity. I kept pushing without complaining. Sinner has started very well after a surreal season. I hope I can put him in difficulty," he told.

The Russian reached the quarterfinals in a Grand Slam tournament for the tenth time, but never went beyond this round which has become a real taboo for him.

Australian Open Melbourne Park