A dream run continues! 22-year-old Ben Shelton has successfully reached the Australian Open semi-final as he beat Italian Lorenzo Sonego in 4 sets. It’s his second ever major SF, first since the 2023 US Open, where he got beaten by eventual champion Novak Djokovic. Who’s he got at the SF in Melbourne? Another Italian and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who has dominated absolutely everyone on the tour in the last year or so. But just before their clash, ex-pro Andy Roddick shared his mantra for Ben to beat the Italian.

After an R16 loss at the Adelaide International, Shelton had a magnificent start to his AO campaign. He won his first three matches in style, beating Brandon Nakashima, Pablo Carreño Busta, and 16th seed Lorenzo Musetti respectively, leading into the fourth-round match against Gael Monfils.

When he was leading Monfils two sets to one in the fourth round, a Walkover from the Frenchman moved Shelton into the QF, where he beat Italian Sonego in four sets. However, as he reaches the Semi, he draws with the Italian Sinner against whom he has a 1-4 H2H record. 

In a recent episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast, the American shared his views about the “only way” Ben can beat the Italian. He said, “Sinner will try to insist on Shelton’s backhand, while he will have to try to minimize the rallies and when the opportunity presents itself be aggressive and even dare something. It’s the only way he has to win.”

Continuing further, Roddick added, “Ben has to repeatedly take big risks in the match if he wants to have a chance of causing problems for the world number one”

On the back of winning the ATP World Tour Finals, defending AO champion Sinner’s 2025 season started with a solid foundation. Losing only two sets till the QF at the AO, the Italian has won all of his matches with ease, beating the likes of Nicolas Jarry, Tristan Schoolkate, Marcos Giron, and Holger Rune. He even beat the Australian Alex de Minaur convincingly in the QF, sealing the match in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 to book his place in the semis, where he will now face Shelton.

Although the Italian has the upper hand going into this encounter, Shelton is not shying away from taking the contest head-on.

‘I’m really looking forward to it’, Shelton shared his opinion about the iconic SF clash at AO

Just a couple of hours left before Ben plays his second SF of a Grand Slam against first-seed Sinner. Is a one-sided victory for Sinner anticipated? Well, not on Ben’s watch as he shares his thoughts before the tie.

“Obviously, Jannik, defending champion. We know what he’s done. I’m really looking forward to it. I think that anytime you get to line up against the best in the world is a great opportunity to improve your game and see where you’re at, and that’s what Friday will be for me,” Ben added in his post-match press conference after the QF.

However, what has been the history of these two tennis prodigies on the court when they have gone head to head? Well, pretty much one-sided, to be honest!

Despite not colliding in an SF in any tournament before, the two have faced each other 5 times since 2023. Although Ben won his first battle against Sinner at the ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai in the RO16, Sinner came victorious in the next four, winning at Vienna, ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells, Wimbledon, and a recent meet against him in ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai. Their last match was a battle of nerves as American gave a tough fight, but lost eventually 6-4, 7-6(1). 

Who do you think will join Alexander Zverev in the final of the Australian Open? Ben Shelton or Jannik Sinner? Share your thoughts in the comments below.