Italian dominates all-American power with control and consistency
Jannik Sinner booked his place in the Australian Open semifinals with a convincing straight-sets victory over Ben Shelton, continuing his dominant run against the American.
One break per set was enough
The match followed a clear and consistent pattern. In each set, a single break of serve proved sufficient for Sinner, who held his own serve comfortably and maintained control throughout the encounter.
Shelton was unable to generate sustained pressure on Sinner’s service games, while the Italian’s composure and efficiency ensured there were no momentum swings.
Errors undermine Shelton’s aggressive approach
Shelton entered the match with an aggressive game plan, attempting to overpower Sinner and disrupt his rhythm. However, that approach backfired as the American struggled with consistency.
Shelton finished the match with 34 unforced errors, compared to just 16 from Sinner. He was also outperformed in the winners count, a combination that ultimately proved decisive in determining the outcome.
Over their last nine meetings, Shelton has now failed to win a single set against Sinner, underlining the Italian’s tactical and mental edge in the matchup.
Sinner marches confidently toward the final
Sinner’s performance once again highlighted his ability to absorb pace, stay patient and strike decisively at the right moments. His controlled aggression and reliability from the baseline left Shelton with few answers.
With this victory, Sinner moves confidently into the semifinals, where a much sterner test awaits. The Italian will face Novak Djokovic in a highly anticipated semifinal clash, as he continues his pursuit of the Australian Open title.
For a broader look at the significance of this stage of the tournament, read our full Australian Open 2026: Day 11 Preview.
By Hameltion – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=152395525
By Hameltion – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=135576429