Defending champion Jannik Sinner cruised imperiously into the Australian Open semi-finals on Wednesday after Iga Swiatek was equally ruthless in claiming Melbourne’s maiden crown. Italian world number one Sinner crushed overwhelming home hope Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 to silence Rod Laver Arena and set up a meeting with 21st seed Ben Shelton. The other semi-final will be between 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic and world number two Alexander Zverev. Both matches will take place on Friday.
During his win over Holger Rune on Monday, Sinner began experiencing bouts of dizziness in the scorching heat of the day.
But in much cooler evening conditions, the 23-year-old was again at his best against eighth-seeded De Minaur, who has yet to beat Sinner in 10 matches.
“Today I felt like I felt everything,” Sinner said.
“On days like this, when you break pretty early on every set, it’s a little easier.”
Sinner is seeking his first Grand Slam title defense after defeating Daniil Medvedev in last year’s final. He also won the US Open last year.
De Minaur admitted he didn’t have any answers that night, saying: “He was bloody good tonight.”
American Shelton, 22, booked his place in the semi-finals for the first time in Melbourne by beating unseeded Italian Lorenzo 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4). Sonego.
Left-hander Shelton pitched a complete game to match his best performance at a major, reaching the semifinals of the US Open in 2023.
Shelton delivered the fastest serve of the tournament, a monster ace that hit 232 km/h (144 mph), and then turned his attention to the post-match TV interviews that winners do on court.
“I feel like broadcasters should help us grow our sport and help these athletes who have just won matches on the biggest stage enjoy one of their biggest moments,” he said.
He called some of the interviews “disrespectful” and “disrespectful.”
Sinister Swiatek
Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek moved closer to a maiden Australian Open crown with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over American eighth seed Emma Navarro on a gusty Rod Laver Arena.
The 23-year-old world number two on the rise will meet American 19th seed Madison Keys in the women’s semi-finals on Thursday.
Two-time defending champion and ranking leader Aryna Sabalenka plays Spain’s 11th seed Paula Badosa for second place in the final.
Swiatek looks ominous. She has yet to drop a set and has dropped just 14 games in five matches – seven of them in her first-round match against Katerina Sinyakova.
“Madison is a great and experienced player, so you never know,” Swiatek warned.
“It will be difficult, I will only focus on myself. She’s already had a good tournament here and we have a good understanding of how she can play.”
Swiatek was lucky to go 2-2 in the second set against Navarro.
Navarro hit a drop shot that had the Pole frantically sliding to get the ball, which she thought she did until replays showed it bounced twice.
The American was annoyed when she asked the chair umpire to use video review to check what happened.
But she was rejected for waiting until the end of the rally instead of immediately challenging and stopping the game.
“It’s complicated. I think we can see it later and make a decision,” Navarro said.
Keys fought back from a set down to beat Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
Keys finished in the last four at Melbourne Park for the third time, 10 years after her first.
“It’s great. I’m very, very proud to be in another semi-final here and I’m hoping and looking forward to taking another step forward,” she said.
Keys, who turns 30 next month, is on a 10-match unbeaten run since winning the title in Adelaide.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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