Jannik Sinner hopes to join Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals of the Australian Open when he faces off against home favourite Alex De Minaur at the Rod Laver Arena this morning.
Sinner has had a relatively easy time of things so far and avoided a potential stumbling block with a four-set victory over Holger Rune in the fourth round. The World No. 1 is the favourite to go on and win this tournament but knows he’ll be up against a hostile crowd for his clash with De Minaur.
The 25-year-old Australian has dropped just one set on his way to the last eight, in a tie-break against Francisco Cerundolo, and looks in good touch ahead of what will be his most difficult match of the competition to date.
The winner of this one will face Ben Shelton or Lorenzo Sonego with the United States’ Shelton currently two sets to one up in their quarter-final tie.
Earlier in the day, Iga Swiatek cruised past Emma Navarro 6-1, 6-2 in their Women’s Singles quarter-final while Madison Keys secured a surprising 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Elina Svitolina to set up a meeting with Swiatek tomorrow.
Follow live updates from Sinner v De Minaur in our live blog below:
Australian Open: *Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-5, 4-6 6-6 (3-2) Lorenzo Sonego
Missed! Sonego sets up the point brilliantly and comes to the net for a drop shot volley but he sends the effort into the net!
Wow! Another mistake from the Italian sees him flick a forehand over the back and Shelton now moves into the lead.
Those were two gifts for the American.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 08:29
Australian Open: Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-5, 4-6 6-6 (1-2) Lorenzo Sonego*
Lorenzo Sonego gets the tie break going with a fine serve and response. He goes wide then forces Shelton to the opposite side of court and the American can’t get there.
Shelton’s initial response is good. He wins the first point from his own serve then hooks a forehand wide!
The first mini break goes to Sonego.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 08:27
Australian Open: Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-5, 4-6 6-6 Lorenzo Sonego
Sonego finds a winner with a forehand down the line to send the crowd wild but Shelton responds with an ace 15-15.
The American’s next serve is strong and he unleashes a cross court forehand after meeting Sonego’s return which the Italian fails to get back.
Another wide serve throws Sonego off balance and Shelton capitalises to edge closer to a hold at 40-15.
He finishes it off with another ace.
We’re going to a tie break!
Mike Jones22 January 2025 08:25
Swiatek sets up semi-final clash with Keys
Iga Swiatek will face Madison Keys in the women’s singles semi-finals and leads the head-to-head between the pair 4-1.
Yet, Keys did win their last hard-court meeting in Cincinnati in 2022.
“Madison is a great player and really experienced, so you never know,” Swiatek said.
“The match that I lost, she kind of killed me, so I think it can be tricky.”
Mike Jones22 January 2025 08:24
Australian Open: *Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-5, 4-6 5-6 Lorenzo Sonego
Sonego! He saves two break points then pings down a wide serve to the Shelton forehand.
Shelton misses it and the Italian takes the game.
Shelton is on the back foot once more and must hold serve to force a tie break.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 08:23
Australian Open: Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-5, 4-6 5-5 Lorenzo Sonego*
Shelton has turned up the heat. Sonego sends over a volley but Shelton gets there and manages to lob the ball over the Italian’s head.
Sonego has to retreat but reaches the ball and tries to smash. He gets it wrong and leaves Shelton with a break point!
The American doesn’t take it. Shelton lifts the ball over the back of court and brings Sonego level at deuce.
The crowd ramps up too. They chant: “Lor-en-zo, Lor-en-zo, Lor-en-zo!”
It’s clear who their favourite is.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 08:19
What are the Australian Open semi-finals?
[1] Aryna Sabalenka vs [11] Paula Badosa
[19] Maddison Keys vs [2] Iga Swiatek
Australian Open: Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-5, 4-6 5-5 Lorenzo Sonego*
Deuce! It’s all to play for in this game. In intensity on Ben Shelton has ramped up immensely.
The American strides up to the net to move to advantage with a volley. He seems calm despite the wild swing in momentum.
A serve out to the backward is hooked out of play and Shelton holds!
This set can still go either way.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 08:13
Australian Open: *Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-5, 4-6 4-5 Lorenzo Sonego
Lorenzo Sonego holds his serve to love and moves within one game of bringing this match back to level terms.
Ben Shelton must hold his own serve or else he’s let a two-set lead slip away.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 08:09
Dominant Iga Swiatek cruises into Australian Open semi-finals
The Pole’s 6-1 6-2 win means she has dropped just 14 games so far in five matches – a feat bettered under the current format by only Maria Sharapova, Monica Seles and Steffi Graf.
But there was controversy after umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore did not spot a double bounce at a crucial moment in the fifth game of the second set.
Mike Jones22 January 2025 08:08
