Physical Address
Suite 5, 181 High Street,
Willoughby North NSW 2068
Zverev defends Djoker after shock exit | 00:46
Jannik Sinner survived a big-hitting American young gun, and his own body falling apart, to earn the right to defend his Australian Open title.
Watch every ball of The 2025 Women’s Ashes Series LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
The world No.1 will face world No.2 Alex Zverev on Sunday night, trying to become just the fourth man to defend the Melbourne Park crown in three decades, after beating Ben Shelton 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2.
Zverev went through to the title decider earlier in the day after he won the first set over Novak Djokovic and then saw the 24-time slam champion quit through injury.
It will be just the 12th time the top two seeds have played for the Australian Open men’s singles title, and the sixth time this century, after 2000 (Agassi-Kafelnikov), 2009 (Nadal-Federer), 2012 (Djokovic-Nadal), 2016 (Djokovic-Murray) and 2019 (Djokovic-Nadal).
The No.1 seed won all of those matches.
After saving two set points in the opener, Sinner surged to the finish line while battling major cramping. It appeared Shelton was not aware of the Italian’s poor physical condition in the third set.
“A lot of tension today, slightly cramping. But he was also suffering today a little bit in his legs. So I tried to move him around, tried to stay a little bit more aggressive which today helped a lot,” Sinner said.
“Yeah, you know, these matches can go very, very long, you know, for three sets. Two and a half hours is quite a long time. So happy to finish today in three.”
‘THAT HURTS’: Aussie coach roasted as world No.1 ‘digs himself a hole’ with cheeky sledges
Shelton’s handedness proved critical in the opening game, able to slam a 160km/h forehand winner down the line to break Sinner in a dream start.
“It was like he (Sinner) forgot he was playing a left-hander,” Todd Woodbridge said on Nine.
The American was immediately in danger on serve, challenged mightily on route to 2-0, and then throwing up three unforced errors at 2-1 to give the break back.
But he continued to play near his best, helped by Sinner appearing more physically exhausted than you’d expect – perhaps due to the illness which impacted him heavily in the fourth round.
Breaking to 15 at 5-5 gave Shelton the chance to serve out the opening set, but Sinner saved two set points and rushed out to a 5-0 lead in the tiebreak before claiming it 7-2.
The second set was much less competitive, Shelton broken twice to begin it, and even though Sinner was still seen struggling at times he was good enough to win it 6-2.
Sinner began to cramp badly early in the third set.
“He’s in big trouble,” Todd Woodbridge said on Nine.
Jim Courier noted he has seen Sinner survive through cramps before but noted after a lengthy point “he pulled up and then spasms”.
Somehow, in a game where at times he could barely move, Sinner broke for a 3-2 lead and at the change of ends the ballkid rushed over a Hydralyte-type drink plus a pickle juice.
“He was putting as much into himself as he could,” Woodbridge said.
Despite all of that he surged over the finish line.
The Italian can join a rare group of tennis’ greatest names if he repeats at Melbourne Park.
There are 14 men who have won multiple Australian Opens, but this century only the big three of Novak Djokovic (who now has 10), Roger Federer (six) and Rafael Nadal (two, in 2009 and 2022), plus Andre Agassi (two of his four), have done it.
Djokovic, Federer and Agassi are the only men who have defended the title in the last three decades.
‘THERE IS A CHANCE’: 81 mins that broke Djoker as legend flags final Aus Open, reason for semis exit
‘HAVE SOME RESPECT’: Outrage over ‘classless’ act towards Djokovic as Aussie champ blasts fans
‘LETTING ME WIN ONE’: Prophetic pre-Open moment Zverev asked Djoker for help amid semi drama
WORLD VIEW: Demon may be tennis’ new ‘nearly man’… that deserves respect not ridicule
AUSTRALIAN OPEN NIGHT 13 ORDER OF PLAY (All times AEDT)
Men’s Singles Semi-Finals
Rod Laver Arena
Not before 7:30pm
No.1 Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs No.21 Ben Shelton (USA)
