After defeating Ben Shelton in straight sets on Wednesday, “physically strong” current champion Jannik Sinner will play 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in a thrilling Australian Open semifinal.
The Italian second seed defeated the eighth-seeded American 6-3, 6-4, and 6-4, dropping just one set to advance menacingly to the final four.
“We go day by day, today I felt I was moving again a little bit better, I feel physically stronger again,” the relentless Sinner said after easing into a sixth consecutive Grand Slam semi-final.
“We all know what challenge I am up to,” he said of facing Djokovic, 38.
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“These are the moments you practise for and wake up for in the morning.
“It improves you as a player and a person, we are lucky to have Novak still here playing incredible tennis for his age.”
The Italian has won eight of their nine prior meetings in straight sets going into the quarterfinal matchup with Shelton.
Only once, in their first meeting in 2023, has left-hander Shelton defeated Sinner.
It was going to be more of the same on a breezy evening at Rod Laver Arena. Sinner’s dominance includes winning their Melbourne semi-final a year ago.
Shelton, who is a year younger at 23, scurried to every area of the court as Sinner quickly took a 4-1 lead in the opening set.
In 49 minutes, a Sinner ace finished the first set, and even though the audience was rooting for him, Shelton was broken once more and lost two more.
Sinner, a four-time major champion, was arrogant and appeared unfazed when the combative Shelton put him under pressure.
In the third set, they proceeded with serve, and Shelton tried his hardest to capitalize on what he has described as a “rowdy” Melbourne crowd.
However, he made his 33rd unforced mistake, giving Sinner three break points. The American then double-faulted to give his opponent a 5-4 lead and indicate the finish was near.
After Italian opponent Lorenzo Musetti withdrew due to injury, Djokovic—a record 10-time winner in Melbourne—took his place in the semifinals.
