Jannik Sinner can join the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as a back-to-back Australian Open men’s singles champion on Sunday night after advancing to another final.
Italy’s world No.1 had an uncharacteristically tardy start, staving off two set points in the first, and later suffering from cramping before completing a 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, 6-2 victory over American Ben Shelton.
Italian world No.1 Jannik Sinner has advanced to another Australian Open final.Credit: Eddie Jim
It was not a signature Sinner performance like 12 months ago when he dispatched 10-time winner Djokovic in the semi-finals, but he still advanced to face German Alex Zverev.
“[There was] a lot of tension today, slightly cramps, but he was also suffering today a little bit in his legs,” Sinner said.
“I tried to move him around, [and] stay a little bit more aggressive, which today helped a lot.
“These matches can go very, very long. For three sets, two-and-a-half hours is quite a time … [but] I’m very happy to be back in the finals and then we see what is coming on Sunday.”
Zverev, who is hunting a maiden major title, qualified for his first final at Melbourne Park when Djokovic retired because of a muscle tear after losing the first set in a tie-breaker.
The last time the Australian Open’s top two men’s seeds met was Djokovic’s straight-sets demolition of Rafael Nadal six years ago.
Zverev has won four of his six matches against Sinner, although the Italian prevailed in a three-hour epic last year in the Cincinnati Masters semi-finals.
“First of all, it’s going to be mental,” Sinner said of the final.
“It’s going to be a tough match for both of us. It’s going to be physical, for sure.
“He played some incredible tennis to go to the final. It’s tough to say who is the favourite, in a way, because everything can happen.”
There was drama during the third set on Friday night as the explosive Shelton’s level soared again and Sinner’s legs were visibly wobbling at the other end.
It was a surprising turn of events, given the top seed had seemingly assumed total control in a dominant second set.
The left-handed Shelton has power in spades and the ability to blast outrageous winners, which makes him a dangerous opponent.
Even then, the American could not break through.
Three break points came and went across Sinner’s opening two service games of the third set, and his cramping worsened in the fifth game as Shelton tried to edge 3-2 ahead.
But Shelton double-faulted before dumping a forehand into the net to give Sinner the lead for good.
After a leg massage and some pickle juice, Sinner cruised to the finish line.
Shelton was left to rue his missed chances, after twice being up a break in a 71-minute opening set where his hyper-aggressive approach rattled his rival on occasion.
The downside was unforced errors flowed in great numbers, and he already had 27 by the end of the first set, including five in a lopsided tie-breaker where he swiftly fell 5-0 behind.
Shelton had 55 of them by match’s end, more than double as many as Sinner’s 26, while hitting only four more winners.
“Honestly, I’m really disappointed. You know going into the match that playing Jannik is a tough ask, Shelton said.
“I’ve made my living on tour so far serving out sets, and having two set points on my serve, serving at 6-5, I feel like [it is] uncharacteristic for me not to come through and win that.
“Obviously, you’re playing the No.1 player in the world; the chances, the windows are always small. Sometimes you miss your window, and the guy steps up his level, starts making a lot more first serves, [and] playing better. The break chances don’t come as often.
“I thought I did some things well out there today … [but it was] probably one of my worst serving days in this tournament, which is disappointing, now being six matches in.”
Watch the Australian Open live & free on the 9Network & 9Now. Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match ad-free, live & on demand.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
