Jannik Sinner Beats Ben Shelton To Set Up Australian Open Final With Alexander Zverev

Defending champion Jannik Sinner blew past Ben Shelton 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-2 in the Australian Open semi-finals on Friday to set up a showdown with Alexander Zverev for the title. The top-ranked Italian will face the German second seed, who went through to Sunday's final when Novak Djokovic retired injured from their last-four clash. Sinner had to save two set points in a tight opening act, but once he took it on a tiebreak he raced past the 22-year-old in 2hr 36min on Rod Laver Arena, despite cramping late in the match.

The centre court crowd had been disappointed earlier when Djokovic called it a day after losing a gruelling first set against Zverev, leaving his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam crown in tatters.

The 37-year-old Serbian great's upper left leg was heavily taped and, after he shook hands, he departed to some boos after going down 7-6 (7/5).

Djokovic hinted that he may have played his last Australian Open. 

"There is a chance. Who knows?" Djokovic said when asked if he may have graced the Melbourne Park courts for a last time.

"I normally like to come to Australia to play. I've had the biggest success in my career here. So if I'm fit, healthy, motivated, I don't see a reason why I wouldn't come," he added.

Djokovic has now gone five Grand Slams without winning the title he needs to surpass Margaret Court's 24 and become the all-time leader.

"I actually thought I played really well, as well as I played the last 12 months," he said of his Melbourne run. 

"I liked my chances if I was physically fit and ready to battle."

Sinner is on the cusp of a first successful Grand Slam title defence after winning his maiden major crown in Melbourne last year.

He had won the last four of his five career meetings with the