Sinner defeats Shelton in search of forging his 'Empire' in Melbourne

Mónica Barberán Munera | 24 Jan 2025 | 09.47

Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open 2025. Photo: getty

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Jannik Sinner will play the grand final of the Australian Open 2025, placing himself just one step away from retaining the title. The Italian had to defeat Ben Shelton with a score of 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2 to set up a showdown with Alexander Zverev for the coveted trophy. The world number 1 endured a match where the American showcased his best level in the first and third sets, making it a more challenging encounter than the final score indicated. Consequently, Sinner also raised concerns about his physical condition due to some thigh discomfort that appeared towards the end of the match. Nonetheless, Jannik will fight for the crown one year after clinching his first Grand Slam title there.

This semifinal started with a delightful first set where Shelton displayed one of his best versions yet. While the Italian began somewhat uncertain, the American took advantage of the discomfort he caused with his playing style to break early. However, Jannik's ability to bounce back prevented Ben from enjoying a comfortable lead. It was in this initial set where Shelton exhibited a high level, skillfully changing his game, daring at the net, moving swiftly from side to side, and sustaining an ever-increasing ball pace.

Overall, the American played smartly, surprising, engaging in beautiful exchanges, and infusing the match with the dynamism typical of a Grand Slam semifinal. He did everything right until he found himself serving to secure the set. Expending all your best tennis can also work against you, as it pushes the world number 1 to bring out his best. Hence, hurriedness became the great downfall of a Shelton who had alarmed Sinner, who clung to the court to undermine his opponent's confidence, ultimately seizing the tie-break opportunity.

Jannik does not let you escape

That's tennis for you; just when you seem to be dominating most of the time, along comes a mental machine like Jannik and "slaps you in the face", as Alex de Miñaur stated a few days ago. Shelton needed to regain composure and the tennis he had lost in that tie-break, besides having to reset his mind to put up a fight in the following set. Nevertheless, Sinner continued attacking when his rival was struggling the most, a rival who, despite scoring great points, also succumbed to errors. The American tried, but failed to fully capitalize on his main weapon, his serve, and the world number 1 closed out a remarkable second set.

And here came Ben. In the third set, we saw the return of that level the American had showcased at the start of the match, gradually recovering. Once again, the spectacle, the fun, and the delights of a Shelton who refused to surrender were back. Meanwhile, Jannik was there, allowing his rival to shine but remaining vigilant for his moment. And that moment arrived precisely when the Italian was physically struggling due to thigh discomfort. Thus, with a visibly fatigued Shelton, the Italian delivered two insurmountable breaks to earn his ticket to the Australian Open final for the second consecutive year. Zverev is up next.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner doblega a Shelton en busca de forjar su "Imperio" en Melbourne