itstargetnews
Reigning Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner will take on “The Showman” Ben Shelton, while 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic will face Alexander Z in this year’s semi-finals Verev…
Sinner’s ‘aura’ helped him reach the semi-finals
Sinner has won his last 12 Australian Open matches and his last 19 matches in all events.
Sinner has 34 of 35 wins on the ATP Tour, his only blemish since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the China Open final in August, during which he Won his second Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open.
No wonder Alex De Minaur, who was eliminated in the Melbourne quarter-finals, spoke of the Italian’s “aura” after his 6-3 6-2 6-1 defeat.
Sinner has won 34 of his last 35 ATP Tour matches
De Minaur said after his tenth consecutive loss to Sinner: “He’s built this aura by beating everybody. It’s not like he just had a good week here or a good week there. week. He’s just beating everybody. He’s reached the highest level he can and that’s hard for players to do.
“You know it’s going to be a battle. You try different things, but then you spend an hour and thirty trying to win games and find a way to get on the board, which is pretty surreal.”
Sinner’s relentless hitting was unbearable for De Minaur, just days after the world number one battled illness in a four-set victory over Holger Ruhn in the last 16.
The favorite will now face Ben Shelton in the semi-finals, whom he has defeated four times in a row without dropping a set, including three times in 2024.
Can “Showman” Sheldon knock out the favorite sinner?
Shelton advanced to his second career Grand Slam semifinal with a four-set win over unseeded Italian Lorenzo Sonego, relying on his returning numbers and traditional booming serve – which he won in the quarterfinals. reached a speed of 144 mph – the key to this victory.
The 22-year-old American youngster Shelton showed his quality and rocket-like serve at the Australian Open
The American, a 2023 US Open semi-finalist, created 11 break points against Sonego, converting three of them, but failed to achieve this against Sinner Progress is still somewhat difficult.
At the very least, the No. 21 seed should have a larger crowd supporting him than home favorite De Minaur advances.
“He was enjoying himself, smiling on the court and making some ridiculous shots, being the showman,” former British tennis player and current commentator Laura Robson said of Shelton’s win over Sonego. “Hopefully we’ll see more things against Sinner.”
A few years ago, Shelton faced Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open semifinals and lost in straight sets.
Murray’s marriage key to Djokovic history quest
Novak Djokovic’s search for history continues as the Serbian remains on track to win a record 11th Australian Open men’s singles title and a record 25th major title after defeating Alcaraz Grand Slam champion, he currently shares the 24th title with Margaret Court. Victory came despite a leg injury in an epic quarter-final on Wednesday.
Djokovic fights back to stun Carlos Alcaraz in Australian Open quarterfinals
The Serbian was full of praise for his rival-turned-coach Andy Murray after the win, saying: “He was right there, he didn’t need to be there. He accepted to work with me. He gave me everything The support of the whole team and trying to make it work.
“I feel more connected to Andy every day. We try to make the most of every day and grow together. He is committed to my career and this event in every way he can.”
Can Andy Murray lead Djokovic and the 37-year-old Serbian into the Australian Open final?
The 37-year-old admits his leg injury is a “concern” as he prepares to face Alexander Zverev, who played just two sets in the match, while Djoko Vicki played three sets, but in fact the veteran had rested for two days and should assist him.
Djokovic and Zverev have met 12 times before, but have only met once since 2021 – in the 2023 Cincinnati Masters semi-finals, the Serbian won in three sets. Zverev is a different beast now, though.
Zverev: I know I can beat Djokovic
Zverev, who has struggled to reach peak form during two seasons interrupted by serious injuries, looked back on his best form last year, winning Masters 1000 titles in Rome and Paris and finishing runner-up at the French Open.
Germany’s Zverev says he knows he has what it takes to beat Djokovic
The German, who knocked out American 12th seed Tommy Paul in the final round to reach his third Australian Open semi-final, believes he has what it takes to beat Djokovic.
“I will prepare for a very intense and high-level match,” Zverev told reporters. “I know I have this level. Hopefully I can do it again (beat him).
“Djokovic has completely dominated tennis for the past 10-12 years.
“There’s a reason he’s been at the top of the sport. The record shows that, he’s the player with the most number one weeks in history, male or female. I’m sure he’s for real, I don’t I know if there are too many records to break, but the rest of the records, maybe he will break them.”
The 27-year-old second seed is still seeking his first Grand Slam title and hopes to become the first German to win the Australian Open since Boris Becker in 1996.
Watch ATP and WTA Tour events and the US Open in New York live on Sky Sports in 2025, or Live with NOW and Sky Sports Appthis year Sky Sports customers can watch more than 50% of live sports events for free. Learn more here.
