Jannik Sinner, Shelton frustrated the best player in the world early on with his potent forehand, athleticism and variety of shot. Up set point and 6-5 on his serve, Shelton was well positioned to take a surprise early lead on Rod Laver Arena.
While Sinner’s mental toughness used to be considered a flaw, one of the qualities obstructing him from finally winning the biggest titles, today few players tackle these important moments with such composure and consistency. From set point down, Sinner spectacularly elevated his level, turning the first set around before marching to another supreme victory on a court that is becoming his fortress.
After coolly navigating the early adversity, Sinner moved into his second Australian Open final with a commanding 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 victory over the 21st seed Shelton. Sinner, the defending champion and No 1 seed, will face the second seed Alexander Zverev in the final on Sunday as he attempts to consolidate his dominance on hard courts with his second Australian Open title.
The rest is here:
Thanks, as always, for your company. Bye!
Australian Open final.
despite those pre-match predictions from the interviewer who offended Shelton after his quarter-final. An uncharacteristic error from Sinner makes it 0-30. Sinner was 0-30 down in his first service game and was broken – but here he produces his fastest serve of the match. Sinner’s coach, Darren Cahill, is on his feet and applauding. But he’s not when Sinner again freezes on his forehand to concede two break points for 15-40. Shelton storms to the net on the first … and Sinner hits his attempted pass into the net! Shelton has broken and will serve for the first set!
First set: Sinner* 5-5 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton, knowing that he must hold to stay in this set, doesn’t blink. 15-0, 30-0, when Shelton resists his natural instinct to attack and waits for Sinner to make the error. Sinner is then hit – quite literally – by Shelton’s serve bomb, for 40-0. Which is very quickly game.
First set: Sinner 5-4 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Sinner smacks down his fastest serve of the night, 126mph, for 30-0. A second ace makes it deuce. And a hat-trick of aces gives him the game. Isn’t Shelton supposed to be the serving machine?
First set: Sinner* 4-4 Shelton (*denotes next server)
So far this contest is making up for the anti-climax of the first semi-final – but I still think there’s a danger that if Sinner were to take this first set he could run away with it. But no sign of that yet. At 15-all, Shelton smartly uses the kick serve, before sending Sinner to one corner and then the other. Even the world No 1 isn’t equal to that. 30-15 then 40-15; 40-30 and then game.
First set: Sinner 4-3 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Sinner conceded only 10 points on serve in his quarter-final demolition of Alex de Minaur. He’s lost nearly that number already today, but he holds to 30 as Shelton sends a forehand wide.
First set: Sinner* 3-3 Shelton (*denotes next server)
At 15-all, Shelton plays smart, coming to the net to break Sinner’s baseline rhythm, and punching away an assured volley. He rattles off the next point for 40-15, but Sinner comes back at him with a breathtaking backhand cross-court winner … and then a rasping return, which Shelton can only net. Deuce. Shelton can’t buy an easy service game at the moment.
The point of the match at Shelton’s advantage … and Sinner benefits from a fortunate net cord mid-rally before eventually dispatching the forehand winner! Shelton should probably have come to the net … which he does on the next point but he is lobbed and goes on to lose the point. So it’s break point Sinner. And then a second bp Sinner. Another absorbing exchange – this has been the game of the match – and Shelton has the champion on his knees as Sinner fails to chase down the drop shot! Shelton squeezes through from there to hold.
First set: Sinner 3-2 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
At 30-15, Sinner wrongfoots Shelton, sending the ball back behind the American for the winner. Shelton is a superb athlete, but is left stumbling on the blue court, as the sun starts to set in Melbourne. 40-15 turns into 40-30 and the pair go at each other in a draining duel, and Shelton eventually fires long. For the first time in the match Sinner is ahead. Shelton will need to take care of his serve from here and stay in touch because Sinner is the best frontrunner in the business.
