Defending champion Jannik Sinner overcame third-set cramping to defeat Ben Shelton 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 on Friday, earning a spot in the 2025 Australian Open final as he chases his third Grand Slam title.
World No. 1 Sinner, who claimed both the Australian Open and US Open titles in 2024, has now extended his winning streak to 20 matches at hard-court Grand Slams. The 23-year-old Italian is on the brink of history, aiming to become the first man since Rafael Nadal in 2005 and 2006 to successfully defend his maiden major title.
Facing No. 21-seeded Shelton on Rod Laver Arena, Sinner needed two hours and 36 minutes to secure victory. After falling behind in the opening set and twice being a point away from losing it as Shelton served at 6-5, Sinner broke back, dominated the tiebreaker, and carried that momentum into the next two sets.
The only hiccup came in the third set when Sinner began clutching at his left hamstring and right thigh. He required treatment from a trainer, who massaged his legs during changeovers, but the top seed powered through to seal the win.
Sinner, who won his maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne last year and added a second at the US Open in September, will face world No. 2 Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final.
Zverev advanced after Novak Djokovic retired due to a leg injury following the first set of their semifinal. While Zverev leads their head-to-head 4-2, Sinner won their most recent meeting on hard courts at the Cincinnati Open last summer.
A win on Sunday would further cement Sinner’s dominance and mark another significant milestone in the young Italian’s rising career.
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