MELBOURNE, Australia — In an exciting quarterfinal match at the Australian Open, Ben Shelton triumphed over Lorenzo Sonego, who showcased an incredible volley. The Italian produced a remarkable play by diving left and sending the ball over the net with a substantial spin, causing it to bounce on his side before curving back. Despite Sonego’s impressive shot-making, it was Shelton, the left-handed American player, who secured the win, finishing with scores of 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4).
Shelton, aged 22, expressed his relief after the match, stating, “I’m relieved,” and acknowledged Sonego’s skills, referring to the match as “some ridiculous tennis.” With this victory, Shelton moved into his second Grand Slam semifinal. He awaits the result of the match between top-seeded Jannik Sinner from Italy and Australia’s No. 8 seed, Alex de Minaur, to discover whom he will face for a chance at the finals.
The match showcased Shelton’s powerful game, including a display of his serving prowess with a striking 144 mph (232 kph) ace, matching the fastest serve recorded at Melbourne Park in the last week and a half. He also delivered a powerful forehand to clinch a break in the second set while flexing his left arm, prompting his father Bryan—who is also his coach—to proudly respond with a grin.
During the match, Shelton demonstrated his athleticism by sprinting for a seemingly unreachable ball, which resulted in a tumble into the advertising board. Although he lost that point, the crowd appreciated his effort, showing support for his post-fall push-ups.
Ultimately, Shelton ended the match with 26 forehand winners and no backhand winners, showcasing his dominance in that aspect of his play. His returns have also significantly improved, as he managed to convert three out of the 11 break points against Sonego, who holds the 55th ranking. Shelton entered the match boasting a 52% success rate on break chances, the best among all eight men’s quarterfinalists.
Having previously lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the 2023 U.S. Open, Shelton now awaits his next opponent, as Sinner and de Minaur are set to compete for the last semifinal spot.
In the other half of the draw, the other semifinal matchup will see Djokovic facing off against No. 2 Alexander Zverev. Djokovic showed resilience by overcoming both a leg injury and Carlos Alcaraz in a quarterfinal match that stretched into the early hours, ultimately winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
On the women’s side, the semifinals scheduled for Thursday night feature No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion for the past two years, taking on No. 11 Paula Badosa, along with a clash between No. 2 Iga Swiatek and No. 19 Madison Keys.
The match between Shelton and Sonego was a crowd favorite, particularly as Sonego had never advanced this far in a major tournament before. Sonego achieved a high success rate with his net play, winning 67 out of 90 points. One of his standout moments occurred at the beginning of the second set, prompting Shelton to acknowledge Sonego’s excellent volley with a handshake.
Although Sonego delivered several impressive shots, including a spinning hook shot in the fourth set, it is Shelton who will have the opportunity to continue his journey in the tournament this year.
