Australian Open semi-finals: Can Jannik Sinner stop ‘showman’ Ben Shelton? Will Novak Djokovic’s leg hold up? | Tennis news
Defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner faces ‘showman’ Ben Shelton, while 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic will play Alexander Zverev in this year’s semi-final…
Grešnik’s ‘aura’ helps him to enter the semi-finals
Sinner has won his last 12 matches at the Australian Open and his last 19 in all tournaments.
That’s 34 wins out of 35 for Sinner on the ATP Tour – his only blemish since August when he lost the China Open final to Carlos Alcaraz in October – during which time he won his second Grand Slam title, at the US Open.
No wonder the man he knocked out in the Melbourne quarter-finals, Alex de Minaur, spoke of the Italian’s “aura” after he was dismantled 6-3 6-2 6-1.
De Minaur said after his 10th straight loss against Sinner: “He’s built this aura by beating everybody. It’s not like he’s just had a good week here or a good week there. He’s just beaten everybody. He’s got that top level that can do this to players, hard is.
“You know it’s going to be a battle. You try different things, but then you’re an hour and 30 into the game, fighting to win plays and find ways to get on the board, it’s pretty surreal.”
Sinner’s relentless ball-striking was too much for De Minaur, just days after the world No. 1 battled illness during his four-set victory over Holger Rune in the last 16.
Now the Melbourne title favorite plays Ben Shelton in the semi-finals, a man he has beaten four times in a row without losing a set, including three times in 2024.
Can the ‘showman’ Shelton stun the favorite Sinner?
Shelton advanced to his second career Grand Slam semifinal with a four-set victory over unseeded Italian Lorenzo Sonega, with his return stats as well as his traditionally excellent serve — hitting 144 mph in the quarterfinals — key to that win.
The American – a 2023 US Open semi-finalist – made 11 break points against Sonego, converting three, but some will question making such a breakthrough against Sinner.
At least the 21st seed should have more of a crowd on their side than they would have if home favorite De Minaur had progressed.
“He was enjoying himself, smiling out there and going for some funny shots, playing the showman,” former British tennis player and now pro Laura Robson said of Shelton’s win over Sonego. “Hopefully we’ll see more of that against Sinner.”
Shelton lost in straight sets when he faced Novak Djokovic in the US Open semifinals a few years ago.
Murray the key to marriage for history-hungry Djokovic
Djokovic’s quest for history continues, with the Serb remaining on course for a record-long 11th Australian Open singles crown and a record 25th Grand Slam crown overall – he is currently tied with Margaret Court on 24 – after seeing off Alcaraz in an epic quarter-final on Wednesday, winning despite a leg injury.
The Serbian was full of praise for rival-turned-coach Andy Murray after the win, saying: “He’s out there and he shouldn’t be. He’s agreed to work with me. He’s giving me all his support, the whole team, and I’m trying to make it work.
“I feel more connected to Andy every day. We try to get the most out of every day and grow together. He is as committed to my career and this tournament as he can be.”
The 37-year-old admits his leg injury is “worrying” as he prepares to face a man in Alexander Zverev who has dropped just two sets in the tournament, compared to Djokovic’s three, but the fact the veteran has had two days off should help him.
Djokovic and Zverev have met 12 times previously, but only once since 2021 – in the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters in 2023 when the Serbian triumphed in three sets. Zverev is a different beast now.
Zverev: I know I have the level to beat Djokovic
Zverev, who has struggled to find top form during two seasons interrupted by serious injury, looked back at his best last year, winning the Masters 1000 titles in Rome and Paris as well as finishing runner-up at the French Open.
The German knocked out American 12th seed Tommy Paul in the final round to reach the third semi-final of the Australian Open and believes he has what it takes to overcome Djokovic.
“I will prepare for a very intense match at a high level,” Zverev told reporters. “I know I have the level. I hope I can do it again (beat him).
“Djokovic has completely dominated tennis in the last 10-12 years.
“There’s a reason why he’s always been at the top of the sport. That’s something that this record shows, being the player with the most weeks as No. 1 in history, whether male or female. I’m sure he’ll break more records, really I don’t know if there are still too many to take down, but those who remain may take them down.”
At 27, the second seed is still looking for his first Grand Slam title and hopes to become the first German to win the Australian Open since Boris Becker in 1996.
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