Defending champion Jannik Sinner secured his spot in the Australian Open final for the second consecutive year after defeating American Ben Shelton with a score of 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2. This victory marks Sinner’s third straight final appearance in hard court Grand Slams, having previously clinched titles at both the US Open and the Australian Open last season, reinforcing his dominant position in the sport.
Throughout the match, both players faced challenges with leg injuries, necessitating medical attention. Shelton, in particular, received aggressive treatment on his thigh, reflecting the physicality of the contest. This match was a rematch for Sinner following a loss to Shelton at the 2023 Shanghai Masters, but he has since turned his record around with five consecutive victories over him.
Sinner described the initial set as particularly challenging, emphasizing its importance for building momentum. “It was a very tough first set but a very crucial one,” he noted in his post-match interview, elaborating that both players were returning better than they served. He mentioned feeling tension during the match, which led to “small cramps,” but expressed satisfaction with how he navigated the situation.
Shelton began the match strong, breaking Sinner’s serve initially. However, he failed to capitalize on set points and allowed Sinner to break back, leading to a decisive tiebreak that Sinner won convincingly. Following the first set, Sinner gained control and maintained a steady lead, breaking Shelton’s serve twice in the closing set as Shelton struggled to convert break point opportunities.
Sinner is set to face Alexander Zverev in the final, following Zverev’s advance due to Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal due to injury. Sinner acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match but expressed enthusiasm about returning to the finals atmosphere. “Sunday’s in tournaments are very, very special days, so I’m going to enjoy it,” he stated.
In summary, Sinner’s performance reaffirms his status as a leading figure in the tennis world, and his ability to overcome challenges bodes well for the future of his career. The anticipation around the final against Zverev adds an exciting layer to an already thrilling tournament.