Defending champion Jannik Sinner stormed into the Australian Open semi-finals with a straight-sets victory over American Ben Shelton, setting up a blockbuster showdown with Novak Djokovic.
The Italian second seed dispatched Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena, dropping only one set en route to his sixth consecutive Grand Slam semi-final. Sinner raced to an early lead, sealed the first set with an ace, and maintained control despite Shelton’s aggressive play and the backing of a lively Melbourne crowd.
Shelton, who had beaten Sinner only once in their nine previous meetings, struggled with consistency, committing 33 unforced errors. A double fault late in the third set handed Sinner the decisive break.
“Today I felt I was moving better, I feel physically stronger again,” Sinner said. “We all know what challenge I am up to. These are the moments you practise for and wake up for in the morning.”
The 24-year-old acknowledged the magnitude of facing Djokovic: “We are lucky to have Novak still here playing incredible tennis for his age.”
Sinner will now face Djokovic, a 10-time Melbourne champion and 24-time Grand Slam winner, who advanced after Lorenzo Musetti retired with a leg injury. The other semi-final features Carlos Alcaraz against Alexander Zverev, promising a thrilling final four lineup.
