World's No 1 Jannik Sinner defeats Ben Shelton to reach back-to-back Australian Open finals

Sinner beats Shelton in straight sets to reach Australian Open final. The World No 1 eyes third major title.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner advanced to his third Grand Slam final after a commanding 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-2 victory over Ben Shelton in the Australian Open semi-finals on Friday.

Sinner’s clinical performance on Rod Laver Arena puts him within one win of defending his title and securing his third major championship.

The 23-year-old Italian, the youngest man to reach multiple Australian Open finals since Jim Courier in 1993, displayed poise and precision against Shelton’s raw power.

Sinner saved two set points in the opening set and capitalised on the tie-break to gain momentum. He maintained control through the remaining sets, committing just six unforced errors in the second set while winning 93% of his first-serve points.

“I knew I had to stay focused and take my chances,” Sinner said after his 20th consecutive tour-level victory. “Ben is a tough opponent with big weapons, but I’m pleased with how I managed the match.”

Shelton, 22, was appearing in his second Grand Slam semi-final after his US Open run in 2023. While the American’s powerful forehand occasionally dazzled the Rod Laver Arena crowd, inconsistency during key moments proved costly.

Shelton now trails 1-5 in his head-to-head encounters with Sinner but will climb to World No. 14 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings following his strong tournament performance.

Sinner’s 2024 campaign was near-flawless. After clinching eight titles last year, including victories at the US Open, Nitto ATP Finals, and Davis Cup, he has extended his dominance in Melbourne.

The Italian has dropped just two sets en route to the final, where he will face Alexander Zverev, who advanced after Novak Djokovic retired due to injury in their semi-final clash.

Sinner’s historic run includes 36 wins in his past 37 matches, with his only loss in that span coming in a deciding-set tie-break against Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing.

If Sinner triumphs in Sunday’s final, he will become the first Italian to claim three major titles, surpassing Nicola Pietrangeli, who won Roland Garros in 1959 and 1960.

With his sights set on more history, Sinner remains the man to beat.