Alexander Zverev is facing a showdown with Jannik Sinner for the title at the Australian Open: Last year’s winner from Italy sat down in Melbourne against the surprise half -finalist Ben Shelton from the USA with 7: 6 (7: 2), 6: 2, 6: 2 through. On Sunday (9.30 a.m. CET/Eurosport) there is a duel between the two top seed players in the tournament.
Jannik Sinner, who dominated large parts of the season last year, wants to win his third Grand Slam title in Melbourne. Unlike Zverev, the world ranking, who seemed to have increasingly physical problems in his match, has won both of his previous major finals.
The 23-year-old launched against Shelton, against whom the Sinner has now won five out of six games. Shelton brought the Italian out of the concept with his variable game and grabbed two breaks. But Sinner was able to rely on his nerve strength, fought off several set balls and won a passage in which he had never looked like the better player.
Afterwards the resistance of Shelton, which was one year younger, seemed broken. From now on, Sinner pulled his game. Shelton still caused a laugh when he explained that a bird had done his business over the pitch – and had the excrement removed with a towel. The American had only reached the semi-finals at a Grand Slam for the second time.
Sinner, like Zverev, came through the tournament relatively smoothly – but after several treatments, the question of his fitness is now asking.