Defending champion Jannik Sinner delivered a commanding performance against American eighth seed Ben Shelton, securing a decisive 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory to advance to the Australian Open semifinals. The Italian second seed, who remains undefeated in his nine encounters with Shelton without conceding a single set, demonstrated exceptional court mastery despite facing formidable challenges from his opponent’s powerful left-handed serves.
The match featured several pivotal moments, including Sinner’s spectacular fourth-game winner where he expertly guided the ball around the net post. While Shelton elevated his game in the second set, creating a breakpoint opportunity at 1-2, Sinner neutralized the threat and maintained control throughout the contest. The victory marks Sinner’s ninth consecutive Grand Slam semifinal appearance and sixth in succession.
Addressing post-match challenges, Sinner revealed his physical readiness has improved significantly since experiencing cramps during his third-round match against American Eliot Spizzirri. ‘I feel stronger physically again,’ Sinner confirmed during his on-court interview. ‘I’m happy to be in the semifinals again. We all know what challenge I’m up against and I’m looking forward to it.’
The triumph sets the stage for a highly anticipated semifinal clash against ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, creating what promises to be a monumental battle between established greatness and emerging excellence. Sinner acknowledged the significance of facing the 24-time major champion, stating: ‘These are the moments you practice for. You have to play at your best. We’re still lucky to have Novak playing incredible tennis at his age. Hopefully, it’s going to be a great, great battle out here.’