Jannik Sinner beats Ben Shelton at Australian Open | ATP tour

Match report

Sinner sinks Shelton and advances to third major final at Australian Open

Italian chases third Grand Slam trophy

January 24, 2025

Jannik Sinner came within one win of successfully defending his Australian Open title on Friday when he defeated American Ben Shelton 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-2 in a tough semi-final at Rod Laver Arena.

In a match between two of the greatest ball strikers on Tour, it was the Italian who found greater control, accuracy and resilience to record his twentieth consecutive tour-level victory and advance to his third major final.

The number 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings saved two set points on Shelton's serve in the first set and led. Sinner continued to deal with the American's heavy power in the second and third sets, defending well from the corners, while putting pressure on the 22-year-old with his clean timing to advance after two hours and 35 minutes.

“It was a very tough first set, but very crucial,” Sinner said. “I felt like he didn't serve at his best today. The percentage wasn't where he wanted it to be. I think we both came back better than we served. The first sets are always very important. It gives you a lot of confidence and There It was a lot of tension for both of us. I'm very happy with the way I handled the situation today.”

Sinner, 23, is the youngest man to reach multiple Australian Open finals since Jim Courier in 1993. The top seed has a 100 percent record in major finals (AO 2024, US Open '24) and will be hoping to maintain that record against Alexander. Zverev, who advanced after Novak Djokovic, had to withdraw from the semi-finals due to an injury.

Shelton was competing in his second major semi-final, having reached that stage at the 2023 US Open. The American played light tennis at times in front of a lively crowd at Rod Laver Arena, but was guilty of a forehand misfire in major points, leaving Sinner free.

Shelton, who now trails Sinner 1-5 in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series, is up six places to No. 14 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings after his run.

Sinner earned his first major at the AO twelve months ago and has been an almost irresistible force ever since. When Sinner met Shelton under the lights on Friday evening, he was once again too strong for an opponent. After saving two set points on Shelton's serve at 6-5 in the first set, the Italian managed to take the lead during the tiebreak.

The world number 1 won 93 percent (14/15) of his first serve points in the second set and made just six unforced errors, compared to Shelton's 16, according to Infosys Stats. The top seed then achieved the decisive break of the third set on his third break point in a long game at 2-2 and was aggressive throughout the third set to race to the finish. Shelton made 62 percent of his first serves and won just 56 percent (41/73) percent of his first serve points, with Sinner reading the throw and returning with consistent depth.

The Italian raised his arms after his victory and was happy to have advanced in straight sets.

“I had a lot of tension today, some cramps,” said Sinner, who received medical treatment for cramps in the third set. “He also had some problems with his legs today, so I tried to move him around and stay more aggressive, which helped a lot. These matches can be very long. Three sets of two hours and thirty minutes is quite a long time, so I'm happy that I can finish in third place, I'm happy to be in the final again and we'll see what happens on Sunday.”

THE DEFENSIVE CAMP IS BACK IN THE FINAL

Sinner overtakes Shelton 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2 to reclaim his place in the Melbourne final#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/ilr0TVUhtr

— ATP tour (@atptour) January 24, 2025

Sinner was the man to beat in 2024, winning eight titles on Tour and rising to No. 1 in June. The 23-year-old finished last year by winning in Shanghai, triumphing on home soil at the Nitto ATP Finals and then beating Italy to Davis Cup glory for the second year in a row. Competing at the Australian Open for the first time this season, Sinner picked up where he left off, dropping just two sets en route to the championship match in Melbourne.

Including a 20-match win streak, Sinner has emerged victorious in 36 of his past 37 matches. His only defeat came against Carlos Alcaraz in a decisive tiebreak in the Beijing final in October.

Did you know?
Sinner aims to become the first Italian to win three major titles. Nicola Pietrangeli triumphed at Roland Garros in 1959 and 1960.