22-year-old American Ben Shelton reaches the semifinals of the Australian Open and survives to beat Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-4,,, 7-5,,, 4-6,,, 7-6(4).
It’s Shelton’s second time reaching the semifinals of his major. us opening 2023.
Shelton, a lefty, has a ferocious serve and forehand and a lot of confidence and breeding.
He is the only lefthander to reach the semifinals of this year’s men’s singles draw. Rafael Nadal 2009 and 2022The last lefthander to win the title.
In the first set, Shelton was hurt 3– All, and in the second set he took a break. 4-every. The American had plenty of variety with his serve, mixing speed and spin, often coming back Sonego.
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to 5-4But Sonego played a brilliant game and broke at 15. It felt like the Italian was finding his form and the crowd was alive.
But Shelton was able to break with a Crosscourt Pass and Sonego’s Long Long, then deliver the set with a forehand down the line winner and his trusty overhead.
In the third set, Sonego found his groove. Playing similarly to Shelton with a big serve and forehand, the Italian displayed his creative variety, often placing his serve. & was. Volley and drop shot. to 5-4Italy broke the Americans.
The fourth set was a battle with both players holding serve. In the tiebreak, Shelton won both points on Sonego’s serve. 3-2. Sonego then hit a smash 3-every. Shelton responded with a big forehand winner, but he missed the shot the next time. He recovered well with push-ups and a smile, then hit a fantastic second serve and smashed a forehand for the win.
Shelton hit for the match. 9 Sonego hit four aces and a double fault, while an ace and three double faults.
american hit 54 winner and 33 Forced error. hit of italy 63 winner and 55 Forced error.
Shelton said in an on-court interview: “I’m relieved now and I’m yelling at Lorenzo Sonego, it was ridiculous tennis.
“I’m really happy to get my first win at Rod Laver Arena. Thanks for coming out. “It was one of my favorite matches.”
Next up is the top seed for Shelton and defending champion Jannik Sinner. 6-3,,, 6-2,,, 6-1.
