MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Defending champion Jannik Sinner overcame some third-set cramping and beat Ben Shelton 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 on Friday to return to the Australian Open final as he seeks a third Grand Slam title.
The No. 1-ranked Sinner, a 23-year-old from Italy, fell behind in the opening set and twice was a point from losing it when Shelton served at 6-5. But Sinner broke there, then dominated the ensuing tiebreaker, breaking again to begin the second set.
An hour later, with the crowd buzzing, Ben Shelton appeared to have the upper hand against the world's best player. At 6-5, one point from taking the first set, Shelton’s powerful forehands and skilled shot variety were on full display. Yet, Sinner turned the tide, employing mental fortitude and composure when it mattered most.
Sinner’s comeback from the brink of defeat was marked by his remarkable ability to raise his level under pressure, which has become emblematic of his style. From down two set points, Sinner showcased his relentless aggressiveness, flipping the first set before moving on decisively through the next two sets.
“It was very tough. I felt he was not serving at his best today,” Sinner commented on Shelton’s performance post-match. He emphasized the significance of the first set, noting how it could generate confidence and help to manage the match’s overall pace.
While Sinner took charge of the match, Shelton struggled with his serving consistency. Statistically, Shelton managed only 59% of his first serves, which tied as his lowest serving percentage of the tournament. This allowed Sinner to capitalize on his returns.
Post-match, Sinner acknowledged the physical demands of their encounter, relating how both players dealt with tension and physicality inside the arena. He stated, “There was tension for both of us. I am very happy with how I handled the situation today,” after noting his own cramping issues.
Sinner, with his eyes set firmly on redemption of his title, will face Alexander Zverev, the second seed, for the championship on Sunday. This final marks Sinner's bid to secure his second Australian Open title consecutively.
Despite having faced five previous opponents on his way to this semifinal, none posed the authentic challenge required to advance past the World No. 1. Shelton’s prior matches had included only one seeded player, No. 16 Lorenzo Musetti, which may have left him unprepared for Sinner’s relentless precision and experience.
With the scoreline reflecting Sinner’s expert transitions throughout the match—particularly his handling of serve receptions—Shelton still displayed his growing maturity as he reached this significant semifinal stage, which showcased one of his best performances yet.
The match concluded with Sinner's victory securing his 20th consecutive win, having also triumphantly captured titles at the Shanghai Masters, ATP Finals, and Davis Cup. This has left the tennis world waiting to see whether Sinner can uphold his current form and seize another Grand Slam title.
For Shelton, this semifinal experience is only the beginning of what has shown promise to become a noteworthy tennis career, with eyes on future tournaments as he continues to grow his reputation on the ATP tour.