Jannik Sinner gives health update ahead of the Australian Open final against Alexander Zverev
Jannik Sinner is going for a third Grand Slam title on Sunday, where he will meet Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open final.
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Jannik Sinner (Image via X)
World No.1 Jannik Sinner fought through a rather tough match against rising star Ben Shelton, winning 7-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the Australian Open semi-finals. The Italian showed his mental and physical strength, winning 12 points in a row late in the match to secure the victory. Despite the win, he had to overcome leg cramps in the third set.
The cramps highlighted the physical toll the tournament had taken on Sinner. Earlier in the competition, he had needed medical attention, especially after his fourth-round victory against Holger Rune. His movement in the third set was clearly affected.
A lot of tension today. There were slight cramps. I was suffering today a little bit in the legs. So I tried to stay a bit more aggressive which worked.
Jannik Sinner said in the post-match interview
Shelton showed glimpses of his talent, especially in the first set. The young American had opportunities to serve for the set and was just a point away at times. However, he struggled to maintain his advantage.
Shelton’s inability to make Sinner move in the later stages allowed the experienced champion to take control. Despite his inexperience and some errors, the left-hander displayed aggression and skill that suggest a bright future on the ATP tour.
Jannik Sinner reaches back-to-back Australian Open finals
Jannik Sinner moved one step closer to defending his Australian Open title on Friday. He defeated American Ben Shelton 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-2 in a powerful semi-final battle at Rod Laver Arena.
Both players are known for their big hitting, but Sinner showed better control and accuracy. He saved two set points on Shelton’s serve in the first set and used his clean timing and strong defense to dominate the next two sets. The match lasted two hours and 35 minutes and marked Sinner’s 20th consecutive tour-level win.
At 23, Sinner is the youngest man to reach multiple Australian Open finals since Jim Courier in 1993. The No. 1 seed, unbeaten in major finals (AO 2024, US Open 2024), will aim to keep that record intact against Alexander Zverev, who advanced after Novak Djokovic retired in their semi-final.
Shelton was playing in his second Grand Slam semi-final following his 2023 US Open run. The 22-year-old impressed the lively crowd with flashes of brilliance but struggled with errors on key points, particularly on his forehand. Despite the loss, Shelton rose six spots to No. 14 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
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Fahad Hamid
(664 Articles Published)