The moment that fans have been waiting for is nearly here. It has all come down to the last 4 at the Australian Open. In an event that saw no shortage of drama and action, Ben Shelton came out as a complete surprise. Having made his way into the semi-finals of the US Open a couple of years ago but falling short ever since, the American star’s unexpected feature in the SF at Melbourne has ignited the fire again. However, he will have his work cut out for him against the Italian powerhouse Jannik Sinner, who has been in solid form throughout the tournament. With the stage all set for a thriller, who among the two will come out on top?

Ben Shelton vs Jannik Sinner: Preview

Jannik Sinner, ranked No. 1 in the world, has made it to the semifinals after a series of impressive victories. Impressive scorelines have been par for the course for him; he defeated Nicolas Jarry 7-6(2) 7-6(5) 6-1, Tristan Schoolkate 4-6 6-4 6-1 6-3, Marcos Giron 6-3 6-4 6-2, Holger Rune 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2, and Alex De Minaur 6-3 6-2 6-1 in the run up to the semis. His quarterfinal win over De Minaur was  a dominant show, winning 86 points compared to De Minaur’s 51. Sinner was very aggressive, hitting 32 winners and serving well. He made 2 aces, zero double faults, and won 84% of his first serves. He broke De Minaur 6 times, converting 60% of his break points.

On the other hand, Ben Shelton, ranked No. 20, also reached the semifinals in spectacular fashion. On his way, he took down Brandon Nakashima 7-6(3) 7-5 7-5, Pablo Carreno-Busta 6-3 6-3 6-7(4) 6-4, Lorenzo Musetti 6-3 3-6 6-4 7-6(5), Gael Monfils 7-6(3) 6-7(3) 7-6(2) 1-0 ret., and Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 7-5 4-6 7-6(4). In his quarterfinal, Shelton scored 153 points, hitting 75 winners. He made 9 aces and 4 double faults, winning 75% of his first serves and 59% of his second serves. He broke Sonego 3 times – quite a dominant display!

Shelton vs Sinner: Head-to-Head

When it comes to the head-to-head stats, Jannik Sinner is the clear winner. With 4 wins compared to Shelton’s 1, he has established his superior game in these encounters. Their first match came at the Shanghai Masters back in 2023. That was the only time when Shelton managed to grab the win; since then its been difficult for the American to have his way. Their most recent encounter came at the Shanghai Masters – where Jannik Sinner won the match in straight sets.

Prediction: Jannik Sinner to clinch the win from Ben Shelton in a thriller

Jannik Sinner’s rise since mid-2023 has been remarkable, winning 78 matches in 2024 and becoming a dominant force in tennis. His ability to excel on all types of courts makes him almost unbeatable when in top form. Sinner also has a strong mental game, particularly in big matches, which has allowed him to thrive in pressure situations. His light footwork and aggressive baseline plays make him tough to beat.

Ben Shelton, on the other hand has tricks up his sleeve too. With his powerful kick serves and athleticism making him a tough opponent, the faster courts make him a formidable force. His belief and fearlessness in crucial moments add to his dangerous game. However, Shelton is still relatively new to the top levels of tennis, and his lack of experience could be a disadvantage against someone like Sinner. Further, his game, while heavily offensive, also lacks the consistency seen in top-tier players.

Prediction: Sinner has the advantage in their head-to-head record, winning 4 of 5 matches, all in straight sets. His fitness will be key, as any lapse in physical issues could give Shelton a fighting chance. On the other hand, Shelton will need his serve to be on point, but Sinner’s mental toughness and tactical versatility should give him the upper hand in this semifinal.