Jannik Sinner delivered a focused performance as he defeated eighth-seeded Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, marking his 19th consecutive win at Melbourne Park. This impressive streak ties him with only Novak Djokovic, his semifinal opponent, who has enjoyed greater success at the Australian Open.
Sinner acknowledged his fortune in reaching the semifinals, having faced challenges in his previous match where he struggled with cramps until returning invigorated after the roof closed at the arena. The third-round drama quickly faded from his memory as he demonstrated confidence and skill against Shelton, achieving a third victory over the American in their last five Grand Slam encounters.
“It’s very tough to play against Ben,” Sinner remarked, praising Shelton’s powerful serve and noting his opponent’s ongoing improvement. “Very happy about today’s performance. I felt like I returned great today.”
With Sinner now set to face Djokovic for the third time in the last four majors, the Italian holds a 6-4 advantage in their head-to-head record, recently winning their five most recent matches, including the semifinals at both the 2024 Australian Open and last year’s Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Reflecting on the upcoming match against Djokovic, Sinner expressed excitement, stating, “These are moments why you practice and wake up in the morning to hopefully play a good match. We are still lucky to have Novak here playing incredible tennis at his age. Hopefully, it’s going to be a great battle.”
Sinner’s strengths were evident against Shelton, who has struggled to find success against him, losing all nine of their meetings since their initial clash in the fall of 2023. Despite Shelton’s formidable serve, which hit 144 mph, Sinner capitalized on his return game, striking 18 winners and committing only four unforced errors in the first set.
Sinner has been enhancing the variety in his game, showcasing his skills by executing a clever shot around the net post, breaking Shelton for the first time during the match. Although he could not maintain the same high level throughout the following sets, Sinner’s dominance was clear. He is now eyeing a potential fourth consecutive Grand Slam final appearance against Carlos Alcaraz, following the other men’s semifinal featuring top-seed Alcaraz and third-seeded Alexander Zverev.
This upcoming semifinal sets the stage for an electrifying clash, with Sinner looking to continue his successful run and challenge one of tennis’s all-time greats.