Twelve hours on court, Djokovic on the horizon and a bet on tequila. Will Mannarino disrupt the Australian Open’s coveted semifinal lineup?

He’s fresh off a big win. And the Frenchman Mannarino had to fight for it for a long time. He’s becoming an expert at long matches at the opening Grand Slam of the season. Now he’s up against the biggest favourite. He’ll challenge Djokovic and be one of the obstacles to many a dream semi-final line-up. Who should face the Serbian tennis player there? And to what does he owe the tequila?

Mannarino is aging like wine

Adrian Mannarino is part of the ATP’s elite 20, but he is certainly not one of the most famous players. He’s making his presence felt at this year’s Australian Open. And that’s just by the number of hours he spent on the courts in Melbourne.

In all three rounds, he enjoyed a fifth set victory. In total, his matches at the Australian major have now totalled almost twelve hours.

The most valuable was his win over American Shelton on Friday. Big things are expected of him this year, but he has had a very lacklustre start to the season. He didn’t do well in Brisbane or Auckland and the Australian Open is not a success for him either.

On the contrary, the experienced Frenchman is now rewriting his highs. He played his first Grand Slam of the season back in 2009, but he is showing his best now. For the second time in three years, he will play the eight-finals here.

The 35-year-old left-hander is basking in his career high, which he will improve upon. Should he make one more round in Melbourne, he will even shoot up to 14th in the ATP rankings.

The audience in Australia was entertained by the Frenchman as he revealed the secret of his rising form. According to him, he owes it to tequila, which he claims helps him keep a clear head. Sometimes it’s better not to think too much.

In the next stage, he’ll face perhaps his toughest possible opponent. World number one Novak Djokovic. He’s slowly but surely approaching his dream match. At least for many tennis fans.

The dream semi-final

Djokovic, after a less than convincing start, has come out swinging and was more satisfied with his play in the third round. He did not lose a set against the Argentinian Etcheverry, by the way his great admirer, and is slowly getting within sight of the mentioned semi-final.

In this duel he could face the man who replaced Alcaraz as his biggest rival at the end of last year. We are talking about Italo Sinner.

The twenty-two-year-old from South Tyrol has so far walked the Australian major unerringly. He hasn’t lost a set so far and is looking forward to his eighth-final clash with Russia’s Khachanov. The winner of the last Czech at this year’s Australian Open.

Just for comparison’s sake. Sinner has spent just over six hours on the courts so far. Half the time Mannarino did. He’s got his trump card. Now declassified.

Sources: Australian Open, Eurosport