Australian Open QF preview, picks and prediction: Shelton vs. Sonego

American Ben Shelton will fight for a place in his first Australian Open semi-final against Italian and first-time major quarter-finalist Lorenzo Sonego. The winner will face either Jannik Sinner or Alex de Minaur.

The Australian Open draw opened up spectacularly for 22-year-old Ben Shelton. World no. 20 is one match away from the semifinals of the Happy Slam, and the highest seed he has faced is no. 16, Lorenzo Musetti.

That’s not to say Shelton didn’t run into stiff competition. Fourth round opponent Gael Monfils actually outserved the much younger lefty and took Shelton to three tiebreak sets. Unfortunately for Monfils and fans alike, the Frenchman suffered an apparent back injury – and general fatigue from tons of recent tennis – right at the start of the fourth set and cashed in his chips at a 0-1 break.

If Shelton’s draw was favorable, Lorenzo Sonego’s seemed almost ordained. World no. 55 has not faced a single seeded player in Melbourne. He sent two talented qualifiers in Joao Fonseca and Leaner Tien, but neither has the big game experience that Shelton has. This is likely to be a much sterner test for the Italian than any he has faced so far.

Like many Americans, Shelton is most comfortable on hard courts. Expect him to use his big left serve to his advantage on Wednesday. Sonego won their last meeting, but it came on the clay courts of the French Open. The American won their only other hard-court match in three competitive sets at the 2022 Cincinnati Masters – and that was before Shelton was anywhere near the player he is now.

Cheryl’s Pick: Shelton in 4th

Ricky’s pick: Shelton in 4th