In a display of tactical mastery, Jannik Sinner advanced to the Australian Open semifinals for the third consecutive year, overcoming Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. The match on Wednesday showcased the Italian’s growing prowess, pushing his Melbourne Park win streak to 19 and positioning him one step closer to grand slam glory.
Shelton, the crowd’s darling, struggled to find rhythm against Sinner’s precise baseline game. The world No. 2 exploited every weakness, amassing a 9-1 head-to-head lead in big events. Sinner’s strategy was textbook: hammer the backhand, force errors on forehand returns, and neutralize the big serve that has powered Shelton’s rise.
The first set belonged to Sinner, who dominated unforced errors 18-4. He carried that momentum into the second, where Shelton squandered three break points and racked up 17 errors. A pivotal double fault handed Sinner the break in the third, and despite fleeting tiredness, the Italian powered through to victory in straight sets.
Looking ahead, Sinner’s semifinal pits him against the indomitable Novak Djokovic, who boasts nine AO semifinal appearances here. Their rivalry adds spice—Sinner has toppled Djokovic in recent semis at majors. As Melbourne buzzes, this clash promises fireworks, with Sinner’s fearless ascent challenging the king’s reign.