Australian Open: Defense champion Jannik Sinner defeats American Ben Shelton in straight sets to reach final

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The defending champion Jannik Sinner overcomes an early test against American Ben Shelton to reach his second straight Australian open finale and won 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2.

World # 1 Sinner has now reached three consecutive finals in the Hard Court Grand Slams after winning the US Open and Australian Open last season, which further cemented his status as the tour’s dominant player on the surface.

Both men treated leg damage during the fight and needed medical attention; Shelton, who appeared in just his second Grand Slam semi -final, had a particularly aggressive massage performed on his thighs several times.

After losing his first match against the 22-year-old American at Shanghai Masters in 2023, Sinner has now won five in a row against Shelton.

“It was a very hard first set, but a very important, and I felt he didn’t earn his best today,” Sinner said in his on-Court interview. “I think we both returned better than we served, and the first sets are always very important, it gives you a bit of confidence.

“There was a little tension for both of us, but I am very pleased with how I handled the situation.”

Sinner said the excitement led him to suffer from “small cramps” during the match and that he was fidgety during the interview as he tried to keep his legs moving.

“He also suffered a little on his leg today, so I tried to move him around and get a little more aggressive, which helped a lot,” Sinner said. “These matches can go very, very long, so I’m happy to end in three sets today.”

Shelton stood at a blistering start and broke the culprit in the opening match. The 23-year-old Italian broke back soon to make it 2-2, but Shelton seemed to have secured the crucial break in the set to go 6-5 ahead and give himself a chance to earn.

However, Shelton spread two set points to allow Sinner to break back and take the set to a draw that the Italian won with ease.

From there, the fight became significantly more skewed. Two early breaks of serving in the other helped the Sinner Cruise to a commanding 2-0 lead.

Shelton made the third set more of a match, but failed to convert any of the three break points he earned over two of Sinner’s service games. It turned out to be the crucial moment of the match as Sinner broke Shelton twice in a row to put the competition in bed.

Sinner is now facing Alexander Zverev, aiming to win his first grand slam, in Sunday’s final after Novak Djokovic was forced to retire with an injury in Friday’s first semi -final.

“It will be a tough fight,” Sinner said. “We have had some very tough matches in the past. Anything can happen.

“He’s an incredible player. He is looking for his first major. There will again be a lot of excitement, but I am happy to put myself in this position again. Sundays in tournaments are very, very special days, so I will enjoy it. ”