MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The defending champions Junk sinner Overcame some third-set pain and beat it. Ben Shelton 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 comeback win on Friday Australian Open As a finale, he is looking for a third Grand Slam title.
Janic Sinner of Italy receives medical treatment during his semifinal match against Ben Shelton of the United States at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
The No. 1-ranked junior, the 23-year-old from Italy, fell behind in the opening set and was a point from losing twice when Shelton served at 6-5. But Sinner broke there, then dominated the ensuing tiebreaker, and broke again to start the second set.
“It was a very tough first set, but a very important one,” said Sinner, who carried a 20-match winning streak to the end of last season.
He said the matchup is against 21st-seeded Shelton, an American making his second major semifinal appearance and first. Melbourne Parkwas full of “a lot of stress”.
Ben Shelton of the United States reacts during his semifinal match against Janic Sinner of Italy at the Australian Open tennis championships, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
“I’m very happy with how I handled the situation today,” Sinner said.
His only trouble came in the final two sets of the 2 1/2-hour contest at Rod Laver Arena when he strained his left hamstring, and then his right thigh, in the third. He was treated by a trainer, who massaged both of the sinner’s legs during the transformation.
Sinner is now the youngest man to reach consecutive finals at the Australian Open since Jim Courier in 1992-93. It was the Courier who conducted a post-match interview with Sunner on Friday.
Sinner won his first major title at Melbourne Park a year ago, then captured No. 2 at the US Open in September, shortly after being acquitted in a doping case that is still under appeal. There is a hearing. Schedule for April.
On Sunday, Sner will look to add to his trophy run when he faces No. 2 Alexander Zverev for the championship.
Zverev reached his third major final – he’s 0-2, with both losses in five sets – when Novak Djokovic resigns. After one set of their semifinal on Friday due to a leg injury.
“Anything can happen. He’s an unbelievable player,” Sinner said of Xavier. “He’s looking for his first major. Again, there’s going to be a lot of tension.”
___
AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
