Shelton rues missed chances against Sinner after Australian Open exit

MELBOURNE : Ben Shelton said uncharacteristic errors at crucial moments had proved costly during his Australian Open semi-final loss against defending champion Jannik Sinner on Friday, after the American squandered the chance to go a set up early in the match.

The 21st seed unleashed his big hitting and was serving at 6-5 in the opening set but was broken by Sinner, who raced away in the tiebreak that followed to lay the platform for a 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2 victory and a final meeting with Alexander Zverev.

Shelton, who failed to capitalise when Sinner was dealing with cramp in the third set, said playing the Italian top seed was always a tough ask but he wanted more from his big weapon.

"I've made my living on tour so far serving out sets and being able to serve out sets," Shelton told reporters, adding it was uncharacteristic of him not to put away at least one of his two set points.

"You're playing the number one player in the world, the windows are always small. Sometimes you miss your window and the guy steps up his level, starts making a lot more first serves, plays better. The break chances don't come as often.

"I thought I did some things well out there. I'll have to look at the statistics after the match. Probably one of my worst serving days in this tournament so far, which is disappointing, now being six matches into the tournament."

Despite the disappointment of his second major semi-final defeat, Shelton said he was getting closer to the level of the top players on the tour.

"I know I have a lot of the stuff that I need. I certainly believe in myself," Shelton added.

"I think that the reps against those guys, the consistency of playing those guys, playing a lot of matches in a week or a couple weeks, that will be the goal