Defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner dropped just six games as he dominated home favourite Alex de Minaur to charge into a semi-final showdown with big-hitter Ben Shelton.
The world No 1, who admitted struggling during his fourth-round battle with Holger Rune, was back in tip-top condition to dismantle the hopes of De Minaur on Rod Laver Arena with a comprehensive 6-3 6-2 6-1 victory.
Sinner produced a ball-striking masterclass to extend his winning streak against the eighth seed from Sydney to 10-0, including the last 20 consecutive sets.
He said of his physical condition: “(Tuesday) was a very easy day, I played just half an hour, 40 minutes. I feel like, especially when you’re young, you recover very fast. I really like to sleep so trying to rest in the best possible way.
“I have a very experienced team with me, which I’m very grateful and happy (for). I (realised) straight away that I’m ready for today. Let’s see what’s coming now in the semis.”
A crowd who had arrived full of hope tried to lift their man but Sinner was remorseless and wrapped up victory after only an hour and 48 minutes.
“I feel like today I was feeling everything,” the 23-year-old said. “When you have days like this and you break early in each set, it makes it a bit easier.
“These kind of matches, they can go quickly but also they can change very fast if I go down with the level a little bit. I’m very happy with my performance today.”
How Sinner made it through to the semi-finals…
De Minaur had a mountain to climb from the start, with the 25-year-old needing a maiden victory over Sinner to become the first man from his nation to reach the semi-finals in Melbourne since Lleyton Hewitt two decades ago.
The early exchanges were encouraging and resembled a game of pinball with some huge baseline hitting from both players, before Sinner broke for a 3-1 lead that laid the platform in order to clinch the opening set.
Sinner broke early in the second set, hitting a spectacular swatted crosscourt forehand winner along the way to leave his opponent looking a little demoralised.
Sinner’s weight of shot too much for De Minaur, who was without fiancee Katie Boulter in his support camp after she flew home to prepare for her next tournament.
There was no looking back for Sinner when he breezed through the first three games of the third set playing lights-out tennis and he quickly wrapped up the match, finishing it off with one final break of serve.
Looking ahead to his date with Shelton on Friday, the Italian said: “I have had some very tough matches with him. He is one of the best servers on tour and as a leftie he has different rotation of the ball, so hopefully I am ready and can return as many serves as possible.”
Shelton survives a four-set, nearly four-hour war of attrition
Ben Shelton is into his second Grand Slam semi-final
The swagger, the big game, the colourful celebrations were on show as Shelton battled to a four-set win over Lorenzo Sonego to reach his second Grand Slam semi-final.
The big-serving American made his breakthrough at the Australian Open two years ago with a run to the quarter-finals on his debut before bettering that at the US Open.
The draw at Melbourne Park has opened up for the 22-year-old and he has taken full advantage, with his latest triumph a 6-4 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7-4) victory over unseeded Italian Sonego.
Sonego, ranked 55 and playing in his first Slam quarter-final, attacked the net repeatedly and threatened to take the contest to a deciding set.
Shelton showed his desire during the fourth-set tie-break by hurling himself across the court in an effort to retrieve a volley. After lying sprawled by the advertising hoardings, he showed he was still fighting fit with a press up.
And moments later Shelton was roaring with delight after booking a last-four spot.
“I feel relieved right now,” the left-hander said. “Shout out to Lorenzo Sonego because that was some ridiculous tennis. I’m really happy to be through, get my first win on Rod Laver Arena. It’s one of my favourite matches of my career.”
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