Shelton instills fear with a great performance against Sonego

The American is already in the semifinals of the Australian Open accompanied by a tennis that can do a lot of damage to anyone

Óscar Belloch | 22 Jan 2025 | 09.44
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Ben Shelton at the 2025 Australian Open. Photo: Getty
Ben Shelton at the 2025 Australian Open. Photo: Getty

Ben Shelton is already in the semifinals of the 2025 Australian Open after defeating Lorenzo Sonego in 3 hours and 53 minutes (6-4 7-5 4-6 7-6). The American displayed a high level of serving throughout the match, as he usually does, and with his abundant charisma, he is on track to be one of the final four players vying for ultimate glory in this first Grand Slam of the year. He reaches the semifinals for the first time in his career after reaching the quarters in the 2023 edition and equals his best result with the semifinals of the 2023 US Open.

The journey of Ben Shelton in this 2025 Australian Open is summarized by his great power when serving. His overwhelming serves have managed to surpass players like Nakashima, Carreño, Musetti, Monfils, and Sonego on his way to the semifinal, and although the results have been tight in some cases, his confidence has helped him avoid playing any fifth sets.

- Impatience condemned Sonego in the first two sets

To play against opponents of Ben Shelton's caliber, with such a powerful serve, a lot of patience is needed and to try to find the right moment to inflict damage. Lorenzo was working well in the first set, but at 4-4, he wanted to start playing head-to-head with Ben and ended up making some unforced errors, allowing the North American to close out without problems.

In the second set, Lorenzo started fired up by making one of the points of the year, to which Shelton could only acknowledge by shaking his hand. The set seemed comfortable for Ben due to an early break, but Sonego did not give up and managed to break back to try to level the contest. However, his opponent saw the need to refocus and was able to do so without issues to regain control (2-0).

- False sense of calmness

Just when it seemed that everything would be decided in three manageable sets for Shelton, Lorenzo displayed his characteristic fighting spirit and wanted to stay in the match by breaking at the opportune moment, at 5-4, thanks to the patience he did show this time. The match was leveled, and it became more thrilling than at any point throughout the fourth set, which even seemed like it could swing in favor of the Italian towards a lead. However, Ben managed to close it out in a tie break where he remained very focused and active on his feet to avoid errors and seal a match that, at court level, he described as his "favorite match in this tournament."

Ben Shelton will face Italian Jannik Sinner or local Alex de Miñaur in the semifinals of the 2025 Australian Open, who will play next at the Rod Laver Arena.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shelton mete miedo con una gran actuación ante Sonego