January 28, 2026 — Melbourne, Australia — Jannik Sinner delivered a dominant performance at the Australian Open on Wednesday, defeating Ben Shelton in straight sets to book his place in the semifinals, where a high profile showdown with Novak Djokovic now awaits.
The quarterfinal result underscored Sinner’s growing authority on hard courts and ended Shelton’s run in Melbourne after a tournament that included several hard fought victories.
Sinner controls quarterfinal from start to finish
Sinner needed no fifth set drama this time. The Italian controlled the tempo from the opening games, using depth and consistency to keep Shelton from finding a sustained rhythm. Shelton’s powerful serve and forehand produced flashes of resistance, but Sinner consistently neutralized those weapons with early returns and extended rallies.
According to match statistics, Sinner limited unforced errors while converting key break points in each set, allowing him to close out the match without allowing momentum to swing.
Shelton’s run comes to an end
Shelton entered the quarterfinal after an impressive path through the draw, highlighted by physical matches and aggressive shot making. Against Sinner, however, the American struggled to maintain control of points once rallies extended beyond a few shots.
Despite the loss, Shelton’s performance throughout the tournament reinforced his status as one of the sport’s emerging contenders, particularly on hard courts.
Semifinal clash with Djokovic set
With the win, Sinner advances to face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, setting up one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. Djokovic reached the final four after navigating his side of the draw and remains a central figure in Melbourne, where he has enjoyed historic success.
The matchup will test Sinner’s ability to handle Djokovic’s experience, defensive skills, and tactical adaptability on one of tennis’s biggest stages.
Momentum building for Sinner
Sinner’s straight sets victory marked one of his most complete performances of the tournament so far. Analysts noted that his ability to manage pressure points and shorten rallies when needed has been a key factor in his run to the semifinals.
The Italian has now positioned himself as a serious title contender as the tournament enters its final stages.
What’s next in Melbourne
The Australian Open semifinals will feature some of the sport’s most recognizable names as the men’s draw narrows. For Sinner, the challenge now shifts to breaking through against Djokovic, while Shelton turns his focus to the rest of the season after another deep run at a major.
More updates are expected as semifinal play begins and the championship picture becomes clearer.
