Sinner extends Shelton stranglehold, books Djokovic showdown in semis

MELBOURNE, Jan 28 : Defending champion Jannik Sinner scorched American eighth seed Ben Shelton 6-3 6-4 6-4 and moved into the Australian Open semi-finals, setting up a blockbuster showdown with 10-times winner Novak Djokovic.

The second seed, who is firmly on course for his third title at Melbourne Park in as many years, tightened his vice-like grip on the rivalry with Shelton by sealing his ninth straight win, all of which have been without conceding a set.

Despite a comfortable win to reach his ninth Grand Slam semi-final and sixth in a row, Sinner faced moments where he was tested by Shelton's thunderous serves, including one that nearly crashed into his body leaving him little time to react.

"It's very tough to play against Ben, he's got a huge serve and he's improving year after year," said Sinner.

"After the off-season, you never know how certain players are going to play against you.

"It's not always, the power that matters. The serves I can handle are a little bit closer to my body. It's slightly easier, but it's a completely different serve, he's a lefty, we don't have many lefties in our game.

"It's definitely one of the toughest challenges to return his serve."

Sinner looked to be on his way when he pulled off a stunning winner by gently caressing the ball around the net post en route to breaking in the fourth game, before claiming the opening set with little trouble.

Shelton went up a gear and earned a breakpoint at 1-2 down in the second set, but Sinner snuffed out the challenge to surge into another commanding lead despite looking off-colour at times and he closed out the frame when the American sent a shot long.

Sinner suffered cramps in the third round on a blazing day before seeing off American Eliot Spizzirri