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How James Duckworth fell into Jannik Sinner's 'trap' in Australian Open 2026 second-round clinic - 'Classes apart'

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Jannik Sinner's charge towards a third consecutive Australian Open title continued at pace, as he recorded a straight-sets victory over James Duckworth to seal his third-round berth. Sinner was ominously strong in all departments, with Duckworth unable to match the Italian's all-court game - the world No. 2 notably adding more to just his explosive baseline game so far in Melbourne.

Watch as 'too strong' Sinner wins through in 'perfect night's work'

Video credit: TNT Sports

TNT Sports expert Anne Keothavong explained how James Duckworth "fell into the trap" laid out by Jannik Sinner as the Italian put on a clinic to reach the Australian Open third round.

Sinner recorded his 16th consecutive triumph on the Melbourne hard courts with a 6-1 6-4 6-2 victory over Duckworth on Rod Laver Arena.

It was a delightful show of not only his explosive baseline game, but some variation, too - for which the unseeded world No. 88, who was hoping to spring a huge shock, had no reply.

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Keothavong said Duckworth - who appeared fired up on Melbourne's main show court - played into Sinner's hands by trying to "overpress" the two-time defending champion.

"James Duckworth fell into the trap like a lot of players do when they’re up against Jannik Sinner," Keothavong said in the TNT Sports studio.

"They overpress, overplay and know to stand a chance, they have to play the match of their lives.

"For Sinner, it’s a straight-sets victory. In the early rounds, it’s crucial for these top guys to get through as efficiently as possible."

Sinner thanks 'fair' crowd after swift win over home favourite Duckworth

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Duckworth laboured to hold his first serve, but the unforgiving Sinner pounced to claim two immediate breaks thereafter - quite emphatically sealing the opening set inside 26 minutes.

While Duckworth was wholly more competitive in the second set, Sinner still proved far too strong.

The Australian was far more resilient - keeping the set on serve until his resistance was broken for 3-4.

Sinner pressed on to charge into a 5-3 lead, with the Australian appearing to run out of ideas on the main show court.

"It's not easy," said a voice from Duckworth's coaching box. "He's mixing it up pretty well."

Unlike his first-round match, in which Hugo Gaston retired after the second set, Sinner's evening would not be cut short by Duckworth, who hoped to somehow spring an unlikely comeback.

But those ambitions were dashed early on in the third when Sinner gained an immediate break advantage.

Sinner has not dropped his serve in Melbourne since the opening set of his semi-final victory over Ben Shelton last year, so any hope of a route back into the match for Duckworth appeared far-fetched.

And so it proved. After charging into a 4-0 lead by suffocating Duckworth's serve again, Sinner fought off two break points to quieten the home crowd and wrap up a comfortable evening's work inside two hours.

Watch as Sinner opens up against Duckworth in latest clash in Australian Open title defence

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Tim Henman commented that the pair were "classes apart", but credited the Australian for his strong second-set display.

"If you want to break down the match-up, whether it’s first serve, second serve, forehand or backhand, movement or experience, Sinner is ahead in every category," Henman said.

"Duckworth is capable of coming forward, he’s got a flat backhand, but he knew he had to play an extremely high risk strategy to have any impact.

"In the second set I thought he did very well, he gave it everything he had, but they are just classes apart."

Sinner will face world No. 85 Eliot Spizzirri - who overcame Joao Fonseca in the first round before beating Wu Yibing over five sets - in the third round.

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