Defending Australian Open Champion Jannik Sinner faces 'Showman' Ben Shelton, while 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic plays Alexander Zverev in this year's semi-final …
Sinner's 'Aura' helps him sail into pole
Sinner has won his last 12 Australian Open matches and his last 19 in all tournaments.
It's 34 wins out of 35 for the ATP sinner – his only blemish since August's loss to China's Carlos Alcaraz in October – during which he picked up a second US title.
No wonder the man knocked out in the Melbourne quarter-finals, Alex de Minaur, spoke of the Italian's “aura” after being dismantled 6-3 6-2 6-1.
Sinner is now victorious in 34 of his last 35 ATP Tour events
De Minaur said after his 10th straight rise for the Sinner: “He's built this aura to beat everybody. He's just had a good week here or he's just been beaten there. He's got that top level to be able to do This for the players, it's tough.
“You know it's going to be a battle. You try different things, but then you're at 1:30 a.m., fighting to win and find ways to get on the board, it's pretty surreal.”
Sinner's relentless ball-striking proved too much for de Minaur, just days after World No 1 battled illness during a four-way win over Holger Runa in the last 16.
Now the title of favorite in Melbourne is played by Ben Shelton in the semi-finals, a man who has beaten four times in a row without falling, including three times in 2024.
Can 'showman' shelton otun favorite sinner?
Shelton progressed to his second career Grand Slam semi-final with a four-set victory over unbeaten Italian Lorenzo Sonego, with his return stats as well as his traditionally thunderous serve – hitting 144mph in the quarter-finals – key to that win.
22-year-old Shelton in the USA has shown her qualities and is serving her racket in the Australian Open
The American – a US Open semi-finalist in 2023 – fashioned 11 clearances against Sonego, converting three, but leading such forays against sinners will be questioned by some.
At least the 21st seed should have more of a crowd on his side than he would have had home favorite De Minaur come through.
“He enjoyed himself, smiled, and went for some funny shots, playing showman,” former British tennis player and now pundit Laura Robson said of Shelton's win over Sonega. “I hope we see more of that against sinners.”
Shelton lost in straight sets when he faced Novak Djokovic in the US Open semifinals a few years ago.
Murray marriage key to searching Djokovic history
The hunt for history continues for Djokovic, with the Serbian remaining on course for a record 11th Australian Open men's title and a record 25th Grand Slam Crown overall – he is currently tied with Margaret Court for 24th – after seeing off Alcaraz in an epic quarter on Wednesday, winning despite a leg injury.
Djokovic returned to Carlos Alcaraz County in the Australian Open quarterfinals
The Serbian was full of praise for his rival-turned-coach Andy Burray, saying: “He's out there and he shouldn't be. He's accepted that they work with me. He's giving me all the support, the whole team and trying to make it work.
“Every day I feel more connected to Andy. We try to do our best every day and grow together. He is as dedicated to my career and this tournament as can be.”
Can Andy Murray oversee Djokovic's run to the Australian Open final with the Serbian 37-year-old?
The 37-year-old admits the leg injury is a “concern” as she prepares to face a man in Alexander Zverev who has delivered just two sets in the tournament, compared to Djokovic's three, but the fact the veteran has had two days should help him.
Djokovic and Zverev have met 12 times before, but only once since 2021 – in the semifinals of the 2023 Cincinnati Masters, as the Serbian triumphed in three sets. Zverev is a different beast now.
Zverev: I know I have the level to beat Djokovic
Zverev, who struggled to hit top form during two seasons marred by serious injury, turned in his best last year, winning the Masters 1000 titles in Rome and Paris, as well as completing a run at the French Open.
Germany is Zverev says he knows he has the level to beat Djokovic
The German knocked out American seed Tommy Paul in the final round to reach a third Australian Open semi-final and believes he has what it takes to get the better of Djokovic.
“I will prepare for a very intense and high level,” Zvevev told reporters. “I know I have the level. I hope I can do it again (beat him).
“Djokovic has completely dominated tennis in the last 10-12 years.
“There's a reason why he's consistently been at the top of the sport. That's something that shows with these records, like the player with the most weeks as no. 1 in history, whether I'm sure it's really going to break more records. I don't know does it still break them too much, but those who stay may break them.”
The 27th second seed is still looking for his first Grand Slam title and hopes to become the first German to win the Australian Open since Boris Becker in 1996.
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