ATP Tour
Musetti, Italians do this at Australian Open for first time in history…
Sinner, Darderi also advance
January 24, 2026
AFP/Getty Images
Lorenzo Musetti battles past Tomas Machac in five sets on Saturday to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open.
By Sam Jacot
Italian tennis enjoyed another landmark day at the Australian Open on Saturday. Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti and Luciano Darderi all advanced to the fourth round in Melbourne, making it the first time in history that three Italian men have reached that stage at the hard-court major.
Musetti led the way, advancing to the last 16 at the Australian Open for the first time in his career after moving past Tomas Machac 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 5–7, 6–2 in a four-hour, 27-minute battle. The world No. 5 in the PIF ATP Rankings will next face Taylor Fritz or Stan Wawrinka for a place in the quarter-finals.
“I feel pretty proud to be part of this trio that we have in the fourth round here at the Australian Open,” Musetti said. “It’s my first time, so I’m really, really happy. I’m proud of the win today.”
Luciano Darderi also earned an early win on Saturday, defeating 15th seed Karen Khachanov to reach the fourth round at a major for the first time. The 22nd seed will next meet two-time defending champion Sinner after the No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings beat Eliot Spizzirri in four brutal sets on Rod Laver Arena. Sinner made history in Melbourne in 2024 when he became the first Italian man to win the Australian Open.
On eight previous occasions, two Italian men had advanced to the fourth round at the hard-court major, most recently last year when eventual champion Sinner was joined by Lorenzo Sonego. Across all majors, this marks just the eighth time in history, and only the third in the Open Era, that three Italians have made the fourth round, with the most recent instance coming at Wimbledon last season.
