Jannik Sinner tops Ben Shelton to return to Australian Open final

MELBOURNE, Australia – Defending champion Jannik Sinner overcame some third-set adversity to beat Ben Shelton 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 on Friday to return to the Australian Open final as he chases a third Grand Slam title.

The no. 1-ranked Sinner, a 23-year-old from Italy, fell behind in the opening set and was twice a point away from losing it when Shelton served at 6-5. But Sinner broke there, then dominated the ensuing tiebreak and broke again to begin the second set.

The only trouble Sinner ran into the rest of the way was when he clutched his left hamstring, and then his right thigh, in the third set. He was treated by a trainer who massaged both of Sinner’s legs during changeovers.

Sinner won his first major title at Melbourne Park a year ago, then won the No. 2 at the US Open in September.

He will look to add to that total when he faces No. 2 Alexander Zverev on Sunday for the championship.

Zverev advanced when Novak Djokovic retired after one set of their semi-final on Friday due to a leg injury