(Video) Lorenzo Sonego hits an outrageous diving spinning backhand volley to send Australian Open crowd into frenzy
Lorenzo Sonego and Ben Shelton faced each other for the third time in their career, when they met in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
Follow Us
Lorenzo Sonego hit a stunning shot against Ben Shelton in Australian Open quarterfinals (Images via Screengrab/X)
World No. 55 Lorenzo Sonego hit one of the shots of the tournament during his quarterfinal clash with 21st seed Ben Shelton on Wednesday (January 22). Inside the Rod Laver Arena, the Italian, who was aiming to reach the semifinal of the Australian Open for the first time, entertained the crowd with his stunning volley.
This happened in the second set when Sonego had lost the first set 6-4 and was 30-40 in the first game of the second set and was serving. After playing a couple of shots from the baseline, Sonego approached the net and hit a cross-court backhand.
The American was successful in returning the shot. It was at that moment Sonego played that outrageous diving, spinning backhand. Shelton came sliding toward the net but was too late as the ball had bounced back into Sonego’s side.
Watch the video here:
Lorenzo Sonego hits one of the SHOTS OF THE TOURNAMENT against Ben Shelton at the Australian Open.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 22, 2025
Diving, spinning backhand volley.
So good that it rolls back onto his side of the net.
Total madness. 🇮🇹😮💨
pic.twitter.com/7qTUCIL89n
Sonego, who made it to the quarterfinal of the Australian Open for the first time and beat Learner Tien in the fourth round, lost the match 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4). Shelton, on the other hand, beat compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round to progress to the last eight in the tournament twice.
Ben Shelton’s head-to-head record against Alex de Minaur and Jannik Sinner
Ben Shelton is a Grand Slam semifinalist for the second time. The 2023 US Open semifinalist is now waiting for the winner of the last Australian Open quarterfinal match between defending champion Jannik Sinner and local man Alex de Minaur.
If it’s the home favorite Alex de Minaur, you guys can boo me, throw stuff at my head…I understand. If it’s the No.1 in the world, it’ll probably be the same, so I’m looking forward to it. I know I got a few in the crowd who are going to be pulling for me too.
Ben Shelton joked during the on-court interview
Shelton has met the World No.1 five times and won just one match. The 22-year-old’s win came back in 2023 when they faced each other in the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters.
Shelton, however, has never faced 25-year-old de Minaur on the tour. Like the World No.20, the Aussie is also searching for his first Grand Slam title but has never progressed to the semifinals. In the other semifinal, 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic will be facing Alexander Zverev.
Stay Updated!
Gouri Das
(4740 Articles Published)