Sinner rejects Shelton to return to the Ao Decider

The Italian will be tough to stop as he extended his winning streak to 20 matches – all on hard courts – and overcame Zverev despite a nasty hip in a three-hour, rain-affected marathon in Cincinnati last August.

World no. 2—a winner earlier on Friday when 10-time champion Novak Djokovic withdrew due to his existing hamstring injury—however, has a winning record against Sinner overall, 4-2.

“We had some very tough matches in the past,” said Sinner of Zverev.

“Anything can happen. He is an incredible player and is looking for his first major. There will again be a lot of tension, but I’m happy to (put) myself in this position. “

Sinner won his previous four bouts against Shelton, the demonstrative left-hander who again donned a sleeveless shirt and bandana.

The American made his breakthrough by reaching the quarter-finals at AO 2023 and has backed up the Grand Slams since then, notably with a semi-final berth at both the US Open and now at Melbourne Park.