World #3 Jannik Sinner stays perfect in 2024, beats Ben Shelton 7-6(4), 6-1 to reach the QFs in Indian Wells for a 2nd consecutive year. 18 consecutive wins 15-0 in 2024 - best player in the world at the moment 9th* Masters 1000 QF
Jannik Sinner mentally and physically destroys emotional Ben Shelton: "I had my chances which I managed to exploit"
ATPWednesday, 13 March 2024 at 09:47
Jannik Sinner continued his exceptional run by mentally and physically destroying Ben Shelton who was left in tears after a 7-6, 6-1 defeat to the Australian Open champion. It continues his dominant run into Indian Wells with his unbeaten streak continuing.
Sinner was mesmerising at times as Shelton simply couldn't cope with the barrage and the Italian described the key to victory after which was mental toughness and utilising his chances.
"It's never easy to play against him, he doesn't give you much rhythm: he's an opponent who makes me grow. Today wasn't an easy match, there was even a bit of wind. He served very well. Mentally I was strong especially in the important points of the first set. I had my chances, which I managed to exploit. I was always positive. After the break in the second set I felt better and pushed a little more. I'm happy with my performance," said the Italian.
"Today I served the second serve better, especially in the most important points. There was a lot of tension because there were so many important points, I had to react very well mentally because I had set points and he takes the tape, then I'm ahead by two mini-break in the tie-break and I find myself 4-4. But these are the moments that I like. You have to be happy on the court even if things aren't going very well. The day after tomorrow it will be a very difficult match, against a player who plays very well at tennis."
He also discussed how he deals with pressure and the expectation now thrust on him that he is now thriving on. "I've always been a player who doesn't care much what people say, either people like me or they don't like me, I can't control everyone. What I can control are the people around me, and for me they are much more important than all the I'm staying. But talking about this thing, winning a Slam, is an incredible, beautiful feeling, I still have it in my mind.
"The pressure is always there and the expectations of myself are always there. I just feel prepared, when I prepared myself mentally, physically and also tennis-wise I say: ok I'm here, if you beat me I'll shake your hand and tomorrow we'll train. If I win there's still work to do, so the result is small. When you leave the court and win it's always a great satisfaction obviously, but it's quite small. Everything else, the work is big."
Next up is Jiri Lehecka, but Sinner doesn't particularly know what to expect. "Every day there is a different opponent. Today not only was it a different opponent but a left-handed one, who is serving incredibly well, and I'm looking forward to this kind of challenge. The next match will also be a challenge, and I don't know the my opponent. We played five years ago somewhere, and I don't even remember, I know because they told me."
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