Sinner eases past Shelton to set up Australian Open semi-final battle with Djokovic

The reigning champion and second seed continued his imperious form on a cool evening at Rod Laver Arena, defeating the eighth-seeded American 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

The opening set lasted 49 minutes, with Sinner racing into a 4-1 lead before sealing it with an ace. Shelton, a 23-year-old left-hander, struggled to recover and was broken again in the second set to fall two sets behind.

The third set proved more competitive, with both players holding serve until the closing stages. The decisive moment came at 4-4, when Shelton double-faulted on break point, allowing Sinner to move ahead 5-4 and serve out the match.

Despite strong backing from a "rowdy" crowd, as Shelton later described it, the American was undone by 33 unforced errors.

Sinner, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has now dropped just one set in the tournament and extended his dominance over Shelton, having won eight of their nine career meetings.

Shelton's only victory came in their first encounter in 2023, while Sinner also beat him in last year's Melbourne semi-final.

The Italian will now face 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic for a place in the final. The other semi-final will see world number one Carlos Alcaraz take on third-ranked Alexander Zverev.

"We go day by day, today I felt I was moving again a little bit better, I feel physically stronger again," Sinner said.

"We all know what challenge I am up to," he said when asked about facing Djokovic.

"These are the moments you practise for and wake up for in the morning.

"It improves you as a player and a person, we are lucky to have Novak still here playing incredible tennis for his age." 

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