Ben Shelton has advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 Australian Open, showcasing his impressive growth with a series of standout performances over the past ten days. The American talent, known for his exceptional play on these courts, made it clear from the outset that he aimed for a significant achievement in this year’s first Grand Slam. After navigating tough matches against Lorenzo Musetti and Gael Monfils, Shelton secured a crucial victory against Lorenzo Sonego, who was competing in his first quarterfinal at a Major tournament and played with nothing to lose.
In the match, Shelton initially dominated by winning the first two sets, but faced a challenge in the third as Sonego rallied to close the gap. However, Shelton’s mental resilience proved pivotal, allowing him to regain control and deliver a strong performance in the crucial moments of the fourth set. Notably, during the match, the world number 20 unintentionally struck the chair umpire twice, adding a humorous twist to the intense competition. Despite these moments, Shelton maintained his focus and is determined to make the most of his semifinal opportunity.
In a post-match interview, Sonego acknowledged Shelton’s significant improvement since their last encounter in Paris, noting enhancements in his serve and forehand. “He has grown a lot compared to the first time we faced each other,” Sonego remarked. Looking ahead, Shelton’s next challenge will be against another Italian, world number one Jannik Sinner. Although Sinner, a two-time Grand Slam champion, is favored to win, Shelton’s previous victory over him at the 2023 Rolex Shanghai Masters demonstrates that he has the potential to pose a serious threat on the court.
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