Jannik Sinner continued his strong run at the Australian Open 2025. He defeated American 21st seed Ben Shelton 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-2 on Friday. As a result, the win secured his place in the Melbourne final for the second year in a row. Sinner will now face Alexander Zverev.

Youngest Finalist Since Jim Courier

At 23, Sinner became the youngest man since Jim Courier (1992-93) to reach multiple Australian Open finals. Moreover, he stayed on course to become the first Italian to win three Grand Slam singles titles. "I'm happy to be back in the final again," Sinner said. Notably, he had to manage cramping during the match. "Sundays are special days in tournaments, and I'm hoping I can enjoy it."

Early Struggles Against Shelton

Initially, Sinner started slowly against Shelton. The American’s powerful forehand earned him an early break. Then, Shelton followed it with a strong hold of serve. However, Sinner quickly recovered to level the score at 2-2. He attacked Shelton’s serve whenever possible. Even so, Sinner’s own serve faltered in the 11th game, and he faced two set points. Eventually, he saved both and forced a tiebreak.

Crucial First Set Win

Shelton’s frustration showed as he lost accuracy in the tiebreak. Consequently, he slammed his racket after falling behind 4-0. Sinner, meanwhile, kept his composure and won the first set when Shelton hit a forehand wide. "It was a very tough first set but crucial," Sinner said. "He wasn’t serving at his best. We both returned better than we served. First sets often give you confidence. I’m happy with how I handled it."

Dominance in the Second Set

After gaining momentum, Sinner started the second set aggressively. He won the first four games and left Shelton struggling to respond. As a result, Sinner maintained control and doubled his lead in the match.

Battling Through the Third Set

In the third set, Sinner felt discomfort in his left leg. Therefore, he called for medical attention after breaking Shelton’s serve to lead 3-2. Despite the issue, Sinner hit powerful winners and finished the match in straight sets. Ultimately, the victory secured his return to the Australian Open final and his second straight Grand Slam final after winning the U.S. Open. "There was a lot of tension today," Sinner said. "I was slightly cramping. He was struggling with his legs too, so I tried to move him around. Playing three sets for 2-1/2 hours is tough. I’m happy to finish it in three. I’m happy to be back in the final again."

Preparing for Zverev

Sinner will now face Alexander Zverev in the final. Zverev reached his first Australian Open final after Novak Djokovic retired with a left thigh injury. Notably, Zverev leads their head-to-head record 4-2. "We’ve had some tough matches in the past," Sinner said about Zverev. "Anything can happen. He’s an incredible player looking for his first major."