American Ben Shelton, 22, beats Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego to reach Australian Open semi-finals 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4).
This is the second time Shelton has reached the semifinals of a major championship while also reaching a major championship us Opened at 2023.
Shelton is a left-hander with a ferocious serve and forehand, full of confidence and fight.
He is the only left-handed player to reach the semi-finals among the 19 left-handed players who started the men’s singles draw this year. Rafael Nadal wins title 2009 and 2022the last southpaw to win the championship.
In the first set, Shelton broke serve 3-All, in the second set he got a break 4-all. The American’s serve is varied, with a mix of speed and spin, and he often confuses Sonego on his return.
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exist 5-4Sonego had a great game, though, and broke serve at fifteen. It felt like the Italians were finding their groove and the crowd was coming alive.
However, Shelton regained the break with a cross-court pass and an errant long forehand from Sonego, then won the first set with a forehand down the line winner and his ever-reliable overhead kick. .
In the third set, Sonego found his best form. The Italian plays a similar style to Shelton, with a strong serve and forehand, and he unleashes his creative versatility, often deploying his serve & Volleys and lobs. exist 5-4the Italians defeated the Americans.
The fourth set was a competition where both sides held serve. In the tiebreaker, Shelton scored two points in a row with Sonego’s serve 3-2. Sonego then hit the ball and scored 3-all. Shelton fought back with a huge forehand winner, but on the next point he collapsed on his shot. He recovered well – a push-up and a smile – then hit a brilliant second serve and sealed the win with an inside-out forehand.
In this game, Sheldon hits the ball 9 ACEs and 3 double faults, while Sonego hit 4 ACEs and 1 double fault.
American blow 54 winners and 33 Unforced errors. Italy’s blow 63 winners and 55 Unforced errors.
Shelton said in an interview on the court: “I feel relieved now, hats off to Lorenzo Sonego, because it was a ridiculous tennis match.
“I’m really happy to advance and get my first win at Rod Laver Arena. Thanks to everyone for coming, this was one of my favorite games of my career.
Shelton’s next opponent was top-seeded and defending champion Jannik Sinner, who defeated home hope Alex De Minaur in regulation: 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.
