Jannik Sinner has moved one step closer to defending his Australian Open title, overcoming Ben Shelton in a 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2 victory on the Rod Laver Arena.
Match Summary
It was a tight and cagey first set with some pin-point serving, making it a difficult task for either player to break their opponent.
“It was a tough first set but very crucial,” Sinner told the ATP website. “I felt he was not serving at his best today. The percentage was not where he would have wanted it at.”
Shelton was the first to convert in the deadlock however, breaking Sinner at 5-5 and leaving him to serve out the set, despite sinner winning 80% of his first serve points.
The Italian broke back immediately, courtesy of multiple unforced errors from Shelton and giving the world number one a lifeline with a tiebreak.
The mistakes continued for Shelton, conceding another two unforced errors in a row and ultimately handing over the tiebreak to Sinner, finishing 7-2 and wrapping up the first set.
There was no let up from the defending champion; he broke Shelton in the first game of the second set and the tone was set for the rest of the match.
Sinner broke again and continued to hold his serve throughout the second set. He won 94% of his first serve points in this set, making it an impossible job for the American to make any headway. The set finished 6-2 and Shelton had a long way back.
The start of the third and final set saw the level rise, with both players utilising their weapons to the max and the ball striking heating up. Despite Shelton’s best efforts, Sinner had the answers to his questions like we saw so many times over the last year.
A small wobble from Sinner saw his physio make his way onto court and give him a massage. “I had a lot of tension today, some cramps,” Sinner said. This didn’t stop him from keeping his level; he broke Shelton to love in the next game and then served it out for a 6-2 final set.
The Final
The number one seed will now face second seed Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open final. The German leads the head-head 4-2, but Sinner had the last laugh in a tight three set win in Cincinnati last year.
Both players will be reliant on their serve, perhaps more Zverev than Sinner. Expect a thrilling battle with long exchanges and some firepower from the baseline.
Zverev will be looking to break his grand slam curse, losing both of his major finals to date. Sinner’s motivation will be equal to Zverev’s as he will looking to defend his title.
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