Jannik Sinner still on course for third consecutive Australian Open title, brushes aside Ben Shelton
ATP
Jannik Sinner is still on course for a three-peat at the Australian Open rolling past Ben Shelton to extend his stranglehold in their Head-to-Head and head into a semi-final with Novak Djokovic over Lorenzo Musetti who was leading until disaster struck.
The two-time defending champion unbeaten in Melbourne since 2023 never looked in real danger against Shelton moving past the eighth seed 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to book his spot in the semi-finals.
Shelton had dropped just one set on his way to what was a third Australian Open quarter-final but it was the same old story down the wing of the American who was unable to unleash his game against Sinner who dictated throughout. Shelton was rushed on the forehand side of his game and also exposed on his backhand meaning that Sinner had true control.
Shelton blown away by Sinner
He now contributes to a 9-1 record over Shelton during his career who doesn't seem to have any semblance of an answer to dispel the prowess of his opponent. All four of their major encounters have now gone the way of Sinner including twice in Australia and twice at Wimbledon.
He never allowed Shelton any semblance of a foothold with his foot on his neck in the entirety. He absorbed pace and redirected it with power and intentful force. He hit a brilliant around the net post winner to open the third game and moments later, he struck the decisive blow breaking Shelton's serve when the World No.7 pushed a forehand into the bottom of the net to slip behind 3-1.
Sinner commandingly closed the opening set finishing with 18-4 in winners to unforced errors and carried that momentum into the second. The pressure on Shelton's game only ramped up a notch as Shelton began to falter and squandered break point chances even that were afforded to him. Sinner appeared to struggle towards the end physically but he was close enough to the finishing line for it not to produce any sort of issue going forward.
He is now into his ninth Grand Slam semi-final and his third at the Australian Open, the four-time major champion now faces Djokovic. Sinner has enjoyed success over him in recent times since his game really started to click around 2 years ago. He beat him at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2024 and twice in 2025.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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