Jim Courier says what Ben Shelton needs to do against Jannik Sinner to stand a chance of winning their Australian Open semi-final
Ben Shelton has taken the Australian Open by storm, but now faces his toughest challenge yet in Jannik Sinner.
Rod Laver tipped Shelton to win a Grand Slam back in 2023, with the America now into his maiden Australian Open semi-final.
Shelton overcame Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) in their quarter-final clash in Melbourne, with Sinner having soared past Alex de Minaur in straight sets.
The ATP number one is looking to defend his title this month, having beaten Daniil Medvedev in last year’s final to win his first Grand Slam title.
Shelton meanwhile is enjoying his joint-best Grand Slam run, having also reached the semi-finals of the 2023 US Open.
Ben Shelton told to ‘take high risks’ in Australian Open semi-final against Jannik Sinner
According to former world number one Jim Courier, it is Sinner who is strong favourite to come out on top at Rod Laver Arena, particularly after his one hour, 48-minute win over De Minaur.
“The way Jannik Sinner played tonight, it’s going to be a tough challenge for anyone to overcome,” Courier told Eurosport.
“Ben Shelton has a lot of power – big serve, big forehand – but if Sinner can target the backhand corner, he’ll seize control of the point.
“Shelton will need to take high risks to get any reward against Sinner. I’d say Jannik Sinner is the heavy favourite against Ben Shelton.”
Jannik Sinner told he played his ‘best tennis’ in Australian Open win vs Alex de Minaur
It remains to be seen what approach the 22-year-old American will take against his next opponent, having won just one of their five meetings so far.
He defeated Sinner in Shanghai in 2023 in their first-ever encounter, but since then the Italian has recovered to win their last four matches.
Sinner did struggle physically with the heat in his fourth round win over Holger Rune, but he quickly recovered to put on a real show against De Minaur, despite the Australian having a huge backing from the crowd.
It was a display that really impressed former British number one Laura Robson, who said: “It was leaps and bounds from what we have seen from him throughout the tournament.
“You put his health aside, that was the best tennis we have seen from him so far in Melbourne. He was so complete from the first point.
“It was like De Minaur had to play a 10/10 point over and over and over, which is almost impossible to do against Sinner given how well he hits from the back of the court. All round, by far the best match we have seen him play. He seemed to be physically back to 100% too.”
| Year | Winner | Tournament | Round | Surface |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai | Round of 16 | Outdoor Hard |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | Wimbledon | Round of 16 | Outdoor Grass |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells | Round of 16 | Outdoor Hard |
| 2023 | Jannik Sinner | Vienna | Round of 32 | Indoor Hard |
| 2023 | Ben Shelton | ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai | Round of 16 | Outdoor Hard |
