Twenty-two-year-old American Ben Shelton is in the semifinals of the Australian Open, surviving the Italian Lorenzo Sonego. 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4).
It’s the second time Shelton has reached the semifinals of a major, having also reached that one US Open inside 2023.
Shelton, a lefty, has a wild serve and forehand and plenty of confidence and hustle.
He is the only left-hander to reach the semi-finals of the nineteen who started the men’s draw this year. Rafael Nadal, who won the title in 2009 AND 2022is the last left-hander to win the title.
In the first set, Shelton broke through to 3– all, and in the second set, he took the break in 4– all of them. The American has great variety with his serve, mixing his speeds and spins, and he often left Sonego confused on the return.
Imago
IN 5-4However, Sonego played a great game and failed at fifteen. It looked like the Italian was finding his form and the crowd came alive.
Shelton got the break right back, though, with a cross and a long miss from Sonego, and was then able to serve out the set with a forehand winner and his ever-reliable forehand.
In the third set, Sonego found his abyss. The Italian, who plays much like Shelton with a big serve and forehand, displayed his creative versatility, using the serve frequently. & volleys and shots. IN 5-4the italian broke the american.
The fourth set was a battle with both players holding serve. In the tiebreak, Shelton took both points on Sonego’s serve 3-2. Sonego then hit a shot for 3– all of them. Shelton countered with a big forehand winner, but on the next point, he fell sprawling for a takedown. He recovered well – with a push and a smile – and then hit a fantastic second serve and pressing the forehand inside-out for the win.
For the match, Shelton struck out 9 ace and three double faults, while Sonego hit four aces and a double fault.
American strike 54 winners and 33 unforced errors. The Italian hit 63 winners and 55 unforced errors.
In his on-court interview, Shelton said: “I’m relieved now, shout out to Lorenzo Sonego because it was some funny tennis.
“I’m very happy to have made it, to get my first win at Rod Laver Arena. Thanks to everyone for turning out, it was one of my favorite matches of my career.”
Next up for Shelton is top seed and reigning champion Jannik Sinner, who beat home hopeful Alex de Minaur in routine fashion: 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.
