Reigning champion Jannik Sinner to face 10-time winner Novak Djokovic in the last four at the 2026 Australian Open after dominant win over Ben Shelton
B. Shelton vs J. Sinner | Australian Open
Men's Singles | Quarter-final | 28.01.2026 | Rod Laver Arena
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Finished
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B. Shelton (8)
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J. Sinner (2)
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Live Updates
Updated 28/01/2026 at 11:13 GMT
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- Highlights
WATCH THE MOMENT SINNER SAW OFF SHELTON
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Watch as Sinner 'out-classes' Shelton to reach Australian Open semi-finals
Video credit: TNT Sports
You can also read our match report via the link below.
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MISERY FOR MUSETTI AS INJURY SENDS DJOKOVIC INTO SEMI SHOWDOWN WITH SINNER
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'It's really painful' - Musetti on injury retirement when beating Djokovic in quarter-final
Video credit: SNTV
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Highlights: Djokovic survives huge scare to reach semis as Musetti retires when leading
Video credit: TNT Sports
Stream every match of the 2026 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+
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SINNER ON DEFEATING SHELTON AND COMING UP AGAINST OF THE SPORT'S BEST SERVES
"It’s very, very tough to place against Ben, huge, huge serve," he said during his on-court interview.
"I feel like he’s improving so much, year after year. After the off-season, you never know how certain players are going to play against you, changing a lot of things, so (I'm) very happy about today’s performance."
On being told Shelton hit a 232kmph serve today, Sinner quipped: "I’m not good with mathematics, so thanks for telling me. I don’t know, it’s just instinct (being able to return). It’s not always the power that matters (most).
"He’s a leftie as well you know… it’s definitely one of the toughest challenges to return his serve."
On overcoming the physical issues that almost saw him shocked by Eliot Spizzirri in the third round, he said: "Yes, I was struggling (against Spizzirri). We go day by day. I had a great win a couple of days ago against a fellow Italian (Luciano Darderi) - that gives you a good confidence boost and today I felt like I was moving a bit better again. I feel stronger physically again, so I’m very happy to be in the semis again in the first tournament of the season – and of course, we all know what challenge I’m up against (v Djokovic), but I’m looking forward to it and let’s hope for a good match."
SINNER STATS
Sinner has registered 50 wins in hard-court Men's Singles Grand Slams from 60 matches, the last player to register their first 50 such wins in as many or fewer matches was Federer in 2006 (59).
10:55
GAME, SET AND MATCH! - SHELTON 3-6 4-6 4-6 SINNER
Jannik Sinner’s bid for an Australian Open ‘Three-peat’ remains on track as the two-time defending champion once again gets the better of Ben Shelton.
The four-time major winner stretched his streak at the tournament to 19 matches as he posted a straight sets victory in two hours and 23 minutes.
The second seed served out to 15 on his second match point to extend his dominant lead over the American to 9-1 in their head-to-head.
The Italian will now look ahead to a semi-final showdown with 10-time champion Novak Djokovic on Friday.
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Image credit: Getty Images
10:51
BREAK! – SHELTON 3-6 4-6 4-5 SINNER
There’s big trouble for Shelton when he follows up a poor forehand miss with another down the line that offers up triple break point.
Sinner wastes his first with a loose forehand long after neutralising the serve, but doesn’t have to do anything on the second as Ben implodes with a double fault.
10:48
SHELTON 3-6 4-6 4-4 SINNER
Shelton catches Sinner out with a wonderful lob that tees up and emphatic smash.
It helps the American get close at 40-30, but it’s not enough as Jannik charges the net to slap away a deep volley to level once more.
10:43
SHELTON 3-6 4-6 4-3 SINNER
There’s been a faster pace to the games in this set.
Shelton follows up a plus-one forehand with a simple angled volley and then rubber-stamps a hold to 15 with an eighth ace of the contest.
10:40
SHELTON 3-6 4-6 3-3 SINNER
Sinner shrugs off a drop-shot fail with a back-to-basics plus-one forehand.
Shelton makes a mess with his timing on an awkward backhand return off a slower second serve and then balloons the next one off the island to end a game to 15 with a whimper.
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Image credit: Getty Images
10:35
SHELTON 3-6 4-6 3-2 SINNER
Sinner does move up a gear on the return and follows a scorching forehand winner with a backhand down the line to tee up two break points.
Shelton lures an error long on the first and then screams with delight as a fizzing forehand to the body ties Jannik up in knots.
The eighth seed produces a fabulous stun volley to take charge at deuce and then bamboozles the Italian with a dropper, skipping off in delight as the crowd at Rod Laver Arena erupt with delight.
10:30
SHELTON 3-6 4-6 2-2 SINNER
If this is a case of Sinner managing himself, it’s intelligent tactics as he makes that first serve count to surge level with a hold to love.
It has shades of Rafael Nadal as he came through some tough tests at the 2022 Australian Open when his energy reserves seemed low.
Shelton needs to be ready for when the Italian think it's time to step on the gas on the return.
10:27
SHELTON 3-6 4-6 2-1 SINNER
There is a suggestion Sinner is in energy conservation mode here.
Shelton is dictating more with the forehand and seems less at risk on serve.
The American’s belief remains intact and he barks with delight as he keeps his nose in front early in the third with a hold to 15.
10:23
SHELTON 3-6 4-6 1-1 SINNER
Sinner slaps down a clutch serve to polish off a hold to 30 after a fifth ace had put him in charge early on.
10:20
SHELTON 3-6 4-6 1-0 SINNER
Shelton ignites at 0-15 with a sizzling crosscourt backhand and doesn’t look back as he reels off the next three points to open Set 3 on the font foot.
On TNT Sports comms Tim Henman is watching Sinner like a hawk, saying he is not convinced the Italian is feeling his best right now.
One to keep an eye on…
10:17
VIDEO: DJOKOVIC PUTS A JOURNALIST IN HIS PLACE AFTER REACHING THE SEMI FINALS
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'Disrespectful' - Watch as Djokovic responds to question about Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Sinner
Video credit: TNT Sports
Stream every match of the 2026 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+
10:14
SET! – SHELTON 3-6 4-6 SINNER
There’s a shocked buzz around the Arena as Sinner throws in one of the worst double faults you’ll see when his second serve barely makes the net.
A wide ace glosses over the indiscretion but another miss opens the door at 15-30 and has the Italian rubbing his eyes as if dazed or feeling dizzy.
Shelton helps him out with a backhand just long and can’t wrestle the initiative his way as he is rushed into dragging a forehand into the net at Pulp (30-30).
The American fails to find the island again on set point and it's all very costly as the two-time defending champion just about gets through to clinch a two-set advantage.
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Image credit: Getty Images
10:09
SHELTON 3-6 4-5 SINNER
Shelton is made to rally hard once again at 0-30 but he’s up for the fight and follows up a sumptuous stun volley with a brave second serve ace down the T.
Sinner pushes him to deuce but aces six and seven make life easy and it’s over to Jannik to try and close the book on this second chapter now…
10:04
SHELTON 3-6 3-5 SINNER
Shelton tries to reel Sinner back in from 40-0 down but he over-presses with a deep, probing backhand and misses the baseline.
It’s been positive and lively from the eighth seed in this second set but he’s on the brink here now.
10:00
SHELTON 3-6 3-4 SINNER
Shelton is brave on the second serve at 30-30 and is able to unload off the forehand to force an error on the stretch from his opponent.
Sinner somehow claws back a wide return that Ben tracks down from Down Town Melbourne, but his squash shot attempt flashes a whisker long to prolong the game to deuce.
Cue that first serve as a fourth ace and an unreturnable delivery ends a tricky conversation in this game.
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Image credit: Getty Images
09:54
SHELTON 3-6 2-4 SINNER
Sinner pulls level at three apiece in a surprisingly low-count ace race so far, en route to a routine hold to 15.