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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Katy Murrells (now) and Joey Lynch (earlier)

Australian Open semi-finals: Sinner beats Shelton, Djokovic retires against Zverev – as it happened

Novak Djokovic Alexander Zverev Jannik Sinner Australian Open Ben Shelton Carlos Alcaraz Melbourne Melbourne Park
Jannik Sinner is through to the final to face Alex Zverev after beating Ben Shelton in straight sets.
Jannik Sinner is through to the final to face Alex Zverev after beating Ben Shelton in straight sets. Photograph: Edgar Su/Reuters

Right, that’s it for today, but do join us again tomorrow when we’ll have coverage of the women’s final between Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys. Britain’s Henry Patten is also in action in the men’s doubles final. I’ll leave you with Tumaini’s match report from Sinner’s victory:

An hour into one of the greatest occasions of his young tennis career, Ben Shelton was soaring. As he faced the daunting challenge of Jannik Sinner, Shelton frustrated the best player in the world early on with his potent forehand, athleticism and variety of shot. Up set point and 6-5 on his serve, Shelton was well positioned to take a surprise early lead on Rod Laver Arena.

While Sinner’s mental toughness used to be considered a flaw, one of the qualities obstructing him from finally winning the biggest titles, today few players tackle these important moments with such composure and consistency. From set point down, Sinner spectacularly elevated his level, turning the first set around before marching to another supreme victory on a court that is becoming his fortress.

After coolly navigating the early adversity, Sinner moved into his second Australian Open final with a commanding 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 victory over the 21st seed Shelton. Sinner, the defending champion and No 1 seed, will face the second seed Alexander Zverev in the final on Sunday as he attempts to consolidate his dominance on hard courts with his second Australian Open title.

The rest is here:

Thanks, as always, for your company. Bye!

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The other stories from today:

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So on Sunday it’s the world No 1 against the world No 2. Will Sinner be concerned about his physical condition against Zverev? Yes and no. He’s got plenty of time to recover before the final, and he was only cramping today, it wasn’t a more serious injury … but if he’s cramping after three sets against Shelton, will he be able to go the distance over potentially five sets against Zverev, especially when Zverev is playing as well as he is?

The pair have faced each other six times before, with Zverev leading the head-to-head 4-2, but most of those matches came before Sinner turned into a winning machine last year, and Sinner did win their only meeting in 2024. Zverev will be hoping for third time lucky after losing his two previous slam finals, against Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open and Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros last year. Does this represent his best chance? No – that was against Thiem – but there’s no doubt Zverev is a better player now. I’d still back Sinner over Zverev in the clutch moments though. Sinner is Djokovic-like to stand firm in the face of adversity and bring his best when it matters.

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Shelton gave it a good go, coming out absolutely firing, and of course he had those two set points in the first set – but Sinner was immoveable and, after running away with the tie-break, then ran away with the rest of the match. Even though the 23-year-old Sinner is only a year older than Shelton, he was the far more experienced, assured player out there. Shelton showed moments of brilliance but wasn’t consistent enough and he’ll regret not coming to the net more; he was never going to beat Sinner by going toe to toe on the baseline. The match, though, was closer than the scoreline suggests.

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Sinner speaks on court to Jim Courier, firstly about that decisive first set:

It was a very tough first set and a very crucial one. He was serving not at his best today, I think we both returned better than we served. The first set is always very important, it gives you confidence, there was a lot of tension, and I’m happy with how I handed the situation. Happy to be back in the final here.

He’s then asked about the injury:

A lot of tension today. Cramps. I tried to move him around and be more aggressive. Theses matches can go very long, for three sets two and a half hours is a long time.

And about his coach Darren Cahill stepping down at the end of the season:

Darren is making his last season as a coach. I’m happy we have this chance to fight for the title. The season is still long but it means a lot to me.

And finally about facing Zverev in the final:

We had some very tough matches in the past Anything can happen, he’s an incredible player, he’s looking for his first major, again there’ll be a lot of tension. But I’ll enjoy it.

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Sinner beats Shelton 7-6, 6-2, 6-2

The rowdy crowds have been the subject of much debate this fortnight – and the umpire gives them a talking to after Sinner makes it 15-0. Shelton, with nothing to lose at this stage, gets to 15-all and then swings freely for 15-30. “Ladies and gentlemen, you can support anyone you like, but please respect the players,” the umpire pleads. Shelton can’t turn 15-30 into a break point, as Sinner takes the next two points for 40-30, and wins it when Shelton drills his backhand return into the net! The defending champion is through to his second straight final in Melbourne and his third grand slam final, and it’s a 20th consecutive slam match win on a hard court. Sinner’s supremacy continues.

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Sinner breaks: Sinner* 7-6, 6-2, 5-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)

Sinner, perhaps wanting to shorten the points to protect his injury, storms to 0-15, 0-30 and then 0-40 with a backhand pass. The game ends in the most anti-climactic way with a Shelton double fault. The American appears to be waving the white flag; Sinner will soon serve for a place in his second consecutive Australian Open final.

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Third set: Sinner 7-6, 6-2, 4-2 Shelton* (*denotes next server)

The trainer massages Sinner’s leg at the changeover. Cue a chat about pickle juice on the Eurosport commentary. Can’t say I’ve ever tried it. The defending champ doesn’t request a medical timeout, though, so he’s soon stepping up to serve and, despite his physical discomfort, he eases through 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. He walks a little gingerly after winning the game, but he’s striding into the final as things stand.

Sinner breaks: Sinner* 7-6, 6-2, 3-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)

Sinner tries to do here what he did in the first set – absorb the pressure and then pile it on to Shelton. After fending off those break points in the previous game, he now has one of his own at 30-40 – and then another at advantage. Shelton saves both, and at deuce the lefty Shelton peppers Sinner’s backhand with his cross-court forehand, before the lanky Sinner leaps into the air to drill a backhand down the line – but misses! Sinner looks in some discomfort as he lands. He had some hip problems last year; it’s not clear if that’s the issue here. Advantage Shelton. Deuce. Advantage Sinner, as Shelton double faults. And as the match time nears two hours and 30 minutes, Shelton concedes the break as he whacks into the net!

Third set: Sinner 7-6, 6-2, 2-2 Shelton* (*denotes next server)

Yes it does! Because Sinner slides 15-40 down. He almost seems to be limping as he steps up to serve on the first break point. He’s moving well in the point, though, getting down to business on the baseline, and the ball sits up invitingly for Sinner to whack his forehand down the line for the winner. First break point saved; and then the second too, with a 120mph serve down the middle that Shelton can’t get back in court. Shelton has had nearly as many break points in this match as Sinner – seven to Sinner’s nine – but while Sinner has broken four times, Shelton has just twice. Sinner is immoveable in a crisis. And – somewhat inevitably – he takes the next two points from deuce to hold.

Third set: Sinner* 7-6, 6-2, 1-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)

A huge roar from Shelton as he unleashes a forehand winner for 30-15. He’s nodding to himself and the crowd are on their feet after he prevails in a 20-plus shot rally with a short, angled backhand winner. What lovely touch from the American. And he then balances out that gentle touch with his biggest weapon, detonating a serve bomb to hold. Maybe this match has some explosiveness in it yet.

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Third set: Sinner 7-6, 6-2, 1-1 Shelton* (*denotes next server)

Shelton has a massage on his right quad between sets. It loosens him up enough to hold to 30, but I think what he really needs is a long chat with his team – he’s got to come to the net more in this set otherwise the match could be over very soon. And just to illustrate this point, Shelton is left bruised behind the baseline as Sinner wins a long exchange for 15-all.

Shelton does, though, have a glimmer at 15-30 and then he does come forward – yes, Ben! – but Sinner forces him to hit volley after volley and he nets! 30-all. That’s a point he’d win more often than not; he can count himself unlucky. Hopefully it won’t deter him coming to the net more. He has greater fortune to get to 30-40, break point, but Sinner then does what Sinner does, calmly soaking up all the pressure to hold.

Sinner wins the second set 6-2

A brief interruption at 15-0 as a seagull decides to get involved in the action, depositing a present on the court. Sinner, undeterred, resumes and swiftly makes it 30-0. Then 40-0, three set points. And he seals it with an ace down the T – appropriate, really, given he’s won 94% of points on his first serve in this set. Controlled and commanding, he’s a set away from a final against Zverev.

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Second set: Sinner* 7-6, 5-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)

The howitzer-armed Shelton has hit only four aces in the match, which shows how well Sinner is returning, and also that Shelton’s serve hasn’t been at its best. And Shelton is soon under pressure on serve once more, slumping to 30-40, set point down, after a poor attempt at a drop shot. Some game resistance gets him to deuce. And some even gamer resistance gets him to his advantage. He holds with an ace that’s as big as his biceps, but surely it’s only delaying the inevitable in this set.

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Second set: Sinner 7-6, 5-1 Shelton* (*denotes next server)

Sinner sticks to the second-set script, gliding to 40-15. He’s dominating the rallies now and Shelton is once again left spinning and sliding on the baseline, before dumping the ball into the net. So Shelton must hold to inconvenience Sinner for any longer in this set.

Second set: Sinner* 7-6, 4-1 Shelton (*denotes next server)

Shelton coughs up a double fault and Rod Laver groans. The stadium, I should be clear. Not the great man – who’s not travelled to Melbourne this year and is back home in California. Laver tipped Shelton as a future grand slam champion back in 2023, but the way this match is now going it seems unlikely Shelton will be making that breakthrough this week. Shelton does, though, hang on in this game, edging to a hold from deuce.

Second set: Sinner 7-6, 4-0 Shelton* (*denotes next server)

Sinner’s in lockdown mode now. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game.

Sinner breaks: Sinner* 7-6, 3-0 Shelton (*denotes next server)

Tim Henman points out on Eurosport that they’ve played 121 points so far and Shelton has ventured to the net only 20 times. “Especially with that lefty serve, he’s got to keep Sinner guessing more,” Henman says. It certainly is foolish to try to outhit Sinner from back of the court. He could do with drawing Sinner in too, to break up Sinner’s baseline metronomy. But he’s not listening. A sweetly struck forehand gives Sinner break point at advantage. And a 36th unforced error from Shelton hands over the double break.

Second set: Sinner 7-6, 2-0 Shelton* (*denotes next server)

Despite the drama of that first set, I’m not sure Sinner is even breaking sweat out there. He’s Federer-like in his ability to look as if he’s not perspiring. He does reach for the towel, though, as Shelton pegs him back from 40-15 to deuce. He blows on his hand for good measure too before serving. Not that it helps, as Shelton carves out his first break point of the second set. Sinner targets Shelton’s weaker backhand wing repeatedly on the break point, before eventually going to his forehand, which is a mistake, because it gives Shelton the initiative, and the American should really win the point, but he just misses the sideline! Deuce. Advantage Sinner. Deuce, as a quite ridiculous mini-war ends when Sinner sprints forward but hits long! Advantage Sinner. The umpire is now wagging his finger and calling out the crowd for shouting out. And Sinner then slaps Shelton down to finally consolidate the break.

Sinner breaks: Sinner* 7-6, 1-0 Shelton (*denotes next server)

This is the first time Shelton has been behind in a match this tournament. How will he respond? Pretty well actually, as he moves 40-15 ahead. But, just as in that first-set denouement, he just can’t shake Sinner off, and Sinner has him in a choke hold in two lengthy points. Deuce. Advantage Shelton. Deuce. Advantage Sinner. “LET’S GO SHELTON, LET’S GO,” chant a few fans in the crowd, more hopefully than forcefully. Another long baseline exchange … Shelton really needs to come to the net more … but he stays back, his shot clips the tape and lands slightly short … and Sinner gobbles it up to break!

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Sinner wins the first-set tie-break 7-2

Shelton does, at least, allow himself a little fist pump as Sinner nets for 5-2. Holding his two service points does put a tiny bit of pressure on the world No 1. But Shelton can’t return Sinner’s next serve, so it’s four set points at 6-2. And Shelton skews his forehand wide! Alex de Minaur said he felt “slapped across the face” after his quarter-final humbling by Sinner. I wonder how Shelton feels right now having had those two set points. He must feel as if he’s been knocked out cold.

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This is where Sinner comes into his own; there isn’t a better clutch player out there right now. Not only is his ball striking so clean, consistent and clinical, he has an unwavering calmness in the biggest moments. And from Shelton having two set points in the previous game, Sinner now moves to 5-0 … which is 5-1 as they change ends …

Shelton is frowning and growling after Sinner wins the first point of the breaker on serve. And is looking to the Melbourne skies as he inexplicably misses for 0-2. And a second mini-break makes it 0-3 …

Sinner breaks back: Sinner 6-6 Shelton

Maybe the crowd support is fairly equal, because there’s a huge collective roar as Sinner levels up at 15-all on Shelton’s serve. And an even bigger one when he neutralises Shelton’s serve and volley tactics with the pass. 15-30. Which should really turn into 15-40, but Sinner balloons his backhand long. So instead it’s 30-all and Shelton can regroup. Another vicious body serve brings up set point. Shelton serves wide … Sinner gets it back … they go down the middle at each other … then cross-court … and Shelton eventually nets! Deuce. Set point No 2 to Shelton, after he chases down the drop shot. But this one comes and goes too. And now here’s a break point for Sinner … and then a second … and Sinner strikes! We’ve got ourselves a tie-break. Which is exactly what this set deserves.

Shelton breaks: Sinner 5-6 Shelton* (*denotes next server)

A huge cheer as Shelton takes the first point on Sinner’s serve – if anything, the crowd are siding with the underdog here, despite those pre-match predictions from the interviewer who offended Shelton after his quarter-final. An uncharacteristic error from Sinner makes it 0-30. Sinner was 0-30 down in his first service game and was broken – but here he produces his fastest serve of the match. Sinner’s coach, Darren Cahill, is on his feet and applauding. But he’s not when Sinner again freezes on his forehand to concede two break points for 15-40. Shelton storms to the net on the first … and Sinner hits his attempted pass into the net! Shelton has broken and will serve for the first set!

First set: Sinner* 5-5 Shelton (*denotes next server)

Shelton, knowing that he must hold to stay in this set, doesn’t blink. 15-0, 30-0, when Shelton resists his natural instinct to attack and waits for Sinner to make the error. Sinner is then hit – quite literally – by Shelton’s serve bomb, for 40-0. Which is very quickly game.

First set: Sinner 5-4 Shelton* (*denotes next server)

Sinner smacks down his fastest serve of the night, 126mph, for 30-0. A second ace makes it deuce. And a hat-trick of aces gives him the game. Isn’t Shelton supposed to be the serving machine?

First set: Sinner* 4-4 Shelton (*denotes next server)

So far this contest is making up for the anti-climax of the first semi-final – but I still think there’s a danger that if Sinner were to take this first set he could run away with it. But no sign of that yet. At 15-all, Shelton smartly uses the kick serve, before sending Sinner to one corner and then the other. Even the world No 1 isn’t equal to that. 30-15 then 40-15; 40-30 and then game.

First set: Sinner 4-3 Shelton* (*denotes next server)

Sinner conceded only 10 points on serve in his quarter-final demolition of Alex de Minaur. He’s lost nearly that number already today, but he holds to 30 as Shelton sends a forehand wide.

First set: Sinner* 3-3 Shelton (*denotes next server)

At 15-all, Shelton plays smart, coming to the net to break Sinner’s baseline rhythm, and punching away an assured volley. He rattles off the next point for 40-15, but Sinner comes back at him with a breathtaking backhand cross-court winner … and then a rasping return, which Shelton can only net. Deuce. Shelton can’t buy an easy service game at the moment.

The point of the match at Shelton’s advantage … and Sinner benefits from a fortunate net cord mid-rally before eventually dispatching the forehand winner! Shelton should probably have come to the net … which he does on the next point but he is lobbed and goes on to lose the point. So it’s break point Sinner. And then a second bp Sinner. Another absorbing exchange – this has been the game of the match – and Shelton has the champion on his knees as Sinner fails to chase down the drop shot! Shelton squeezes through from there to hold.

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First set: Sinner 3-2 Shelton* (*denotes next server)

At 30-15, Sinner wrongfoots Shelton, sending the ball back behind the American for the winner. Shelton is a superb athlete, but is left stumbling on the blue court, as the sun starts to set in Melbourne. 40-15 turns into 40-30 and the pair go at each other in a draining duel, and Shelton eventually fires long. For the first time in the match Sinner is ahead. Shelton will need to take care of his serve from here and stay in touch because Sinner is the best frontrunner in the business.

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Sinner breaks back: Sinner* 2-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)

It’s about 20 degrees in Melbourne, as the clock ticks beyond 8pm in the evening. Given Sinner felt unwell earlier in the week, he’ll be pleased to be playing at night rather than in the heat of the day. The cooler, heavier, slower conditions should also play into Sinner’s hands because the ball won’t fly so much. Not that you’d know it from the way Shelton is crushing some of his shots. But there are too many unforced errors as well – and his ninth of the match hands Sinner a break point at 30-40. So for the second Shelton service game in a row, Sinner gets the chance to break back. And the Italian takes it when a superb return sets up the point for him!

First set: Sinner 1-2 Shelton* (*denotes next server)

Sinner decides it’s time to remind Shelton who the defending champ is. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. The world No 1 is on the board.

First set: Sinner* 0-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)

The way Shelton is hitting you’d have no idea this is his first Australian Open semi-final. But just as I type that a wild forehand goes wide and it’s 15-all on Shelton’s serve. Make that 15-30. And those two points sum up the task for Shelton tonight: he needs to show measured, controlled aggression, he can’t just swing at everything. A third unforced error in a row and it’s break point Sinner at 30-40. Shelton steadies himself and gets to his advantage, is pulled back to deuce not once but twice, but a forehand cross-court pass from Shelton and an errant return from Sinner allow the American to back up the break.

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Shelton breaks: Sinner 0-1 Shelton* (*denotes next server)

Ladies and gentlemen, Jannik Sinner won the toss and will serve first. Ready? Let’s play. Shelton, perhaps emboldened by Zverev upsetting the odds earlier, smashes away a winner to take the first point. The American bides his time in the next rally, resisting the urge to pull the trigger as he’s usually tempted to do, and Sinner makes the error! 0-30. A poor miss from Shelton and it’s 15-30, but Sinner slaps a backhand into the net and here are two break points at 15-40! Sinner has not got going at all. And he’s left rooted to the spot as Shelton rips a forehand winner down the line on the second break point!

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Tik! Tok! Tik! Tok! They’re warming up. Shelton looks early-career Rafa with his bulging biceps and sleeveless top, which is a very similar yellow/orange/pink colour (how to describe it? sherbert? sunrise?) to the outfit Iga Swiatek wore yesterday – but he’ll be hoping to fare better than she did. Sinner’s gone for a more subdued pastel yellow and white number.

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Here they are, the pair sharing a nice exchange behind the scenes, before walking on to court, with Shelton introduced to the crowd first. Shelton was angered by the on-court interviewer telling him after his quarter-final that he’d have little support from the crowd today … but he gets a good reception from the fans, even though Sinner gets a louder one. Not that Shelton probably heard either, as he’s got his headphones on.

Route to the semi-final. Sinner has dropped a couple of sets along the way, and felt unwell in his fourth-round win over Holger Rune, but was in ruthless form in the quarter-finals, with his statement demolition of the home favourite Alex de Minaur for the loss of just six games. Shelton, unsurprisingly, has played more tennis to get to this point but has never been in serious danger.

Sinner
1R def Nicolas Jarry 7-6, 7-6, 6-1
2R def Tristan Schoolkate 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3
3R def Marcos Giron 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
4R def Holger Rune (13) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
QF def Alex de Minaur (8) 6-3, 6-2, 6-1

Shelton
1R def Brandon Nakashima 7-6, 7-5, 7-5
2R def Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4
3R def Lorenzo Musetti (16) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6
4R def Gael Monfils 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 1-0 ret
QF def Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6

We do have Sinner’s pre-match thoughts though.

We know each other a little bit better now. We had some tough matches last year, so let’s see what’s coming. [He has] one of the biggest serves we have on tour. He’s a very aggressive player, an all-around player. He can go to the net, he can stay back.

He is one of the best servers on tour, lefty, different rotation of the ball is coming, so hopefully I’m ready. Hopefully I can return as many serves as possible and then trying to stay very concentrated about my game.

The current picture behind the scenes: Sinner’s coach, Darren Cahill, is warming up on an exercise bike. Shouldn’t it be Sinner?! No signs of the numero uno …

Sinner and Shelton should be on court very shortly, so let’s get back to looking forward to that. Sinner leads their head-to head 4-1. Shelton won their first meeting, in 2023, but Sinner has won all four since in straight sets – though several of those sets went to a tie-break. That’s probably Shelton’s best chance today: take care of his own service games and then try to snatch the breakers. I’m not sure he has consistency to break Sinner multiple times.

Djokovic also spoke about his future afterwards, saying he was unsure if he’d return to the Australian Open next year. “I don’t know. There is a chance,” the 37-year-old said when asked if his retirement against Zverev could be his final appearance in Melbourne. “Who knows? I’ll just have to see how the season goes. I want to keep going. But whether I’m going to have a revised schedule or not for the next year, I’m not sure.”

On his trial coaching partnership with Andy Murray, he said: “We are both disappointed with what just happened, so we didn’t talk about the future. I’ll definitely have a chat with Andy and thank him for being here with me. I’ll give him my feedback, which is positive, and see how he feels and we will make the next step.”

If you’re just joining us, here’s Jack’s report on Djokovic’s injury and Zverev’s progression to the final:

Ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic was booed off the court by some sections of the Rod Laver Arena audience when he sensationally retired hurt from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev on Friday after losing the first set.

The Serb suffered an injury to his groin area in his quarter-final against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday and took to the court with both dark tape and a white bandage enveloping his upper thigh.

He revealed afterwards he had not hit a ball since his previous match, and the pain proved too much. “I did everything I possibly can to basically manage the muscle tear that I had,” Djokovic said.

“Medications, and this strap, and the physio work helped to some extent today, but towards the end of that first set, I just started feeling more and more pain, and it was too much to handle for me at the moment. So, yeah, unfortunate ending, but I tried.”

The rest is available here:

Some pre-match reminiscing. The highlights of Sinner’s semi-final victory in Melbourne last year, when he defeated Djokovic in four sets:

Some pre-match reading. Here’s Tim Joyce’s excellent piece about the evolution of Shelton:

When Taylor Fritz reached the final of the US Open four months ago, he became the first American man to play in a grand slam singles final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009. Finally, tennis fans in the United States had a reason to believe that the era of American men’s tennis futility was fading. And now, with Ben Shelton on the edge of a possible finals appearance at the Australian Open, it appears that, indeed, a group of American men’s players are set to make their mark (US women, it hardly needs to be said, have had no such problems making an impact at majors). If Shelton were to make the final it would be the first time since the 2005 Wimbledon (Roddick) and 2005 US Open (Andre Agassi) that American men have appeared in back-to-back grand slam finals.

This Australian Open has showcased the sudden depth and promise of a host of young Americans, including 19-year-old Learner Tien who defeated Daniil Medvedev on his way to the quarter-finals, and Alex Michelsen, 20, who also reached the fourth round after knocking off two top-20 seeds. They, along with veterans Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, comprise a coterie of American men’s players who are morphing into a cohesive, friendly group that are pushing each other to new heights.

Of course, for Shelton to reach Sunday’s final, there is that nagging detail, that one small matter, of having to overcome the ultimate challenge in present-day tennis – beating Jannik Sinner on a hard court. The overpowering, world No 1 has shown no signs of vulnerability so far in Melbourne this year, and it will take a high-risk, highly focused performance from the southpaw Shelton to pull off the upset. The pair have played five times, with Shelton winning their first encounter but Sinner has won the last four meetings and has taken nine straight sets off Shelton.

You can read the rest here:

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Sinner v Shelton coming up

Thanks Joey! G’day everyone and welcome to our coverage of the men’s semi-finals – part two. Which will hopefully be longer than part one …

Novak Djokovic’s fitness and bid for the ultimate piece of tennis history has rather dominated the chat in the men’s draw for the past few days, but after his retirement against Alexander Zverev ensured that he won’t be claiming grand slam No 25 on Sunday, Jannik Sinner now gets the chance to seize some of the narrative (though I’m sure the fallout from Djokovic being booed will carry on for a while yet).

Sinner, the defending champion and world No 1, is the strong favourite to see off the big-serving American Ben Shelton, who’s more often than not described as the big-serving American prodigy Ben Shelton, even though he’s only a year younger than Sinner. Both had breakout runs to a first slam semi-final in 2023 – but while Sinner then came of age last year, winning not only the Australian Open but also the US Open along with six other titles and rising to the top of the rankings, Shelton stalled, failing to get beyond the fourth round of a major. With his explosive personality and forehand almost as nuclear as his serve, it’s good to have the 22-year-old back in the mix.

This match offers up a compelling contrast between the right-handed Sinner and the southpaw Shelton, Sinner’s serenity and Shelton’s showmanship, and Sinner’s metronomically precise baseline game and Shelton’s high-octane style – though the world No 20 has deliberately reined things in a bit this fortnight.

“I don’t think I’ll be redlining,” Shelton says. “If anything, I’ve been, in terms of my baseline play, a bit more conservative this tournament, OK with going deep in rallies. Probably have to step that up a little bit in the semi-finals. I think that I’m figuring out ways to make guys uncomfortable without just playing at my upper limits and slapping.”

Slapping definitely isn’t the way to beat the world No 1 – Shelton needs to balance risk with reward and pick his moments to attack, while breaking Sinner’s baseline rhythm by coming to the net, where he’s very adept. As well as routinely sending down those serve bombs, of course. It’s still a tall, tall order though – especially when Sinner hasn’t been beaten on a hard court at a slam since 2023.

The players will be on court at: 7.30pm Melbourne time/8.30am GMT.

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That, though, is where I’ll leave you.

This afternoon hasn’t gone the way any of us would have predicted but it’s been a pleasure to have your company.

I’ve been Joey Lynch and I’ll leave you in the very capable hands of Katy Murrells.

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Ben Shelton and Jannik Sinner will soon be making their way onto Rod Laver Arena, the American underdog seeking to add a new, remarkable chapter to his evolution. This from Tim Joyce is very good on the 21st seed.

On Kia Arena, Xiaohui Li and Ziying Wang have taken out the opening set of their women’s wheelchair doubles final against Zhenzhen Zhu and Manami Tanaka, 6-2.

Amanda Munns has written in, none too pleased with the Melbourne crowd’s treatment of Djokovic.

“What an ignorant and disrespectful action by members of the crowd at that match. I guarantee you they would never have done that if had been Roger or Rafa. They should not do it for anyone!

“I’ve been a tennis fan for over 50 years and it greatly saddens me to see how things have changed. Djokovic should be respected for what he has achieved and what an excellent ambassador he has been for the sport.”

In case you missed it yesterday, the Australian Open women’s final will see Aryna Sabalenka look to defend her crown against Madison Keys.

In the first of the semifinals, Sabalenka defeated good friend Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2.

Next up, Keys rallied back from losing the opening set to defeat 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) Iga Świątek.

Updated

For the sixth tournament running, British pair Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid have triumphed in the final of the men’s wheelchair doubles, downing Daniel Caverzaschi and Stephane Houdet 6-2 6-4.

The women’s wheelchair doubles final has just started on the Kia Arena, Manami Tanaka and Zhenzhen Zhu taking on Xiaohui Li and Ziying Wang.

Alas for Tanaka, it appears that her advancement to the final will prevent her from attending Mamoru Miyano’s final show in Funabashi.

Given the boo-birds are probably going to become a talking point, the timing of this piece from Emma John is quite appropriate.

The crowds at the Australian Open have become something of a talking point across this month, and John McEnroe, John Millman, and Jelena Dokic pulled no punches on the Channel Nine panel after Djokovic was booed off court after.

“He’s won this 10 times. I mean, come on. Clearly, something was up. The guy’s a battler. I mean, him and Rafa [Rafael Nadal] have dug deeper than any two players I’ve ever seen -- mentally, physically, you name it. To do that, because he decided that he couldn’t go on after what he’s done here. I thought it was absolutely ludicrous. Honestly, that was depressing. That was almost as depressing to seeing the end of the match, honestly; to see him do that, him put his thumbs up and have [boos]. It’s too bad.

Millman well and truly had the boo-birds in the crowd in his sights, saying they crossed a line.

The crowds have been questioned a lot and rightly so. I think it’s a bit of a shambles. Some of the behavior has crossed the line and that one takes the cake for me. This is a guy that’s won it ten times. Have some respect. He’s one of the all time greats, if not the greatest to play it. He’s definitely the greatest to play on this court. I don’t care how much you’ve spent on your ticket. Have some respect.

Dokic, for her part, was clear in her view that Djokovic wouldn’t have pulled out unless he had to.

We’ve seen Djokovic in his career when he’s had injuries... he’s played through them, played through the tournament, gone on and hasn’t retired in matches.

Only a really heavy knee injury at the French Open took him out last year, where he could play the quarter-final. So if he decided that he couldn’t play, he really couldn’t play.

Updated

Jack Snape was at Rod Laver Arena for the semi-final and has filed his immediate reactions.

On the call for the match and taken aback as anyone by Djokovic’s retirement, John McEnroe gave his views that and Zverev’s progression on Channel Nine.

We were all wondering how he’s going to hold up after the match against Carlos [Alcaraz]. But I thought he actually was moving pretty well. Managing things. Clearly, Zverev was tight -- trying to sort of get the nerves out. It was a very closely contested first set, hour and 20 minutes set. I was almost more shocked when he missed the volley. I’m like, no way he’s gonna miss that volley, right? Then he missed it. Next thing, the only guy in the stadium that was happy was Zverev! The look in [Zverev’s] eyes was like ‘What?’ We were all like ‘Oh my God!’

But I’ll tell you something, it brings me back, the first time I ever won a major, I got a couple of defaults. And I bet there’s no one here on this [panel] that would know that. You don’t know. In 10 years’ time, if Zverev wins this, no one is going to know or care that Novak didn’t play. He got through. It’s not his fault.

"But that’s a bummer. It was starting to get very interesting. Zverev’s had rollercoaster ride trying to get to win a major and he’s been so close. [He was] serving for the match when he played [Dominic] Thiem, he was up two sets of one against Carlos in the French [Open] [and] he ran out of gas. He figured out that he needed to be able to have more left in the legs to make it through. It looked as if he was... going out there [do] a war of attrition type thing [against Djokovic], like he’s going to break him down. Because he was very passive in my book, more passive than he should have been.

We’ll continue to bring the fallout of Zverev moving into after Djokovic’s shock retirement but there is other tennis happening today beyond the men’s singles.

Today has also seen the women’s final locked in, the top seeded duo of Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend bouncing back after dropping their opening set to defeat Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-3 in the first semi-final.

They will face the third-seeded team of Su-Wei Hsieh and Jelena Ostapenko, who have just beaten second-seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-3 out on Margaret Court Arena.

Updated

Djokovic has addressed media in the wake of his shock retirement.

“I didn’t hit a ball since the Carlos [Alcaraz] match, until like an hour before today’s match. I did everything I possibly could to manage the muscle tear that I had. Medications, the strap and the physio work helped to some extent today.

But towards the end of that first set, I just started feeling more and more pain. It was too much to handle for me at the moment.

“So yeah, an unfortunate, ending, but I tried.

To conclude, Courier asks Zverev for a preview of tonight’s semifinal between Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton.

What’s going to happen? Ben is going to serve 240 km/h and Jannik is going to return like it’s coming at [him] like a butterfly. That’s what’s that’s probably going to happen.

But no, they’re both great players. Everybody who’s in the same final of a grand slam absolutely deserves to be there. There’s no easy draws. I have tremendous respect for both of those guys and I think it’s going to be entertaining match.

Moving in from Djokovic’s exit, Courier asks Zverev about the improvements he has made to his serve in recent years that have allowed him to hit on ~70% his first serves while flirting with a 200 km/h delivery. He hit on 79% of his first serves today, winning the point on 77% of them while averaging 206 km/h.

Technique was the number one thing that I changed. It was actually with my brother more than anyone else, because my brother was never a master server. He was never a very big server but he was extremely good with his spots and he was extremely good at changing it up with a slice, with a top spin and all that.

What was happening is that I was tossing my ball so high up that I was waiting in that position for so long that I was losing momentum. I couldn’t accelerate any more after the ball was already dropping. So the number one thing that we changed over the past, I think four or five years, is lowering the toss so it’s a fluid motion.

So I actually hit the tennis ball at the highest spot that I can and not wait for it to go down. My serve, being on the second serve especially, went up quite a bit over the last few years.

After the obvious discomfort he was in during his quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic’s fitness had been the subject of significant conjecture heading into this semi-final and he took to the court with his thigh heavily strapped.

Nonetheless, Zverev said he hadn’t taken any kind of comfort knowing the ten-time champion may have been hobbled.

Not against Novak, to be honest. I played him here in 2021 when he had an abdominal tear and he served 28 aces against me. I have to play 100%.

I played probably one of my best sets of the tournament in the first set and I 7-5 in a tie break while he was injured. I don’t know, maybe I’m not that good. Maybe Novak is too good for the sport. I don’t know what to say.

Zverev said he had little inkling that the retirement was coming.

No, I actually thought it was quite a high level first set. Of course, you know there are some difficulties, and the longer you continue playing, then maybe the worse it gets. In the tie break he was maybe not moving as well as in the entire first set. But I thought we had extremely long rallies, extremely difficult, physical rallies. In the tie break, I did see him struggle, maybe a bit more.

But still, of course, I’m happy on one side to be in the final Australian Open, I’m in the final of a grand slam.

But on the other hand, I am being 100% honest, there’s no guy on the tour that I respect more than Novak. He’s been one of my closest friends on tour. Whenever I struggled, I could always text him, I could always call him, I could always ask him for advice. I was speaking to him for hours last year in Shanghai, when I was really struggling mentally a little bit after the US Open defeat in the quarter-finals. He’s always somebody that helped a lot.

I wanted it to be a tough five set match as well. But it is how it is. He’s won this tournament 10 times, and again, I have nothing but respect for him.

Zverev begins his post-match interview by taking aim at the contingent of the crowd booing Djokovic after he was forced to retire.

The very first thing I want to say is, please guys don’t boo a player when he goes out with injury. I know that everybody paid for tickets and everybody wants to see, hopefully, a great five set match and everything. But you gotta understand that Novak Djokovic is somebody that has given the sport for the past 20 years, absolutely everything of his life. He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear. He has won this tournament with a hamstring tear. If he can not continue a tennis match, it really means that he can not continue a tennis match. So please be respectful and really show some love for Novak as well.

Updated

While I go about transcribing what Zverev said, here’s the moment he moved into a first Australian Open final after Djokovic dropped the opening set in a tie break and indicated he could not continue.

Updated

Needless to say, the crowd at Rod Laver Arena is somewhat dumbstruck by what has just happened – boos beginning to come down from the crowd as the reality of what has happened starts to dawn.

Jim Courier is heading out to speak to Zverev now, we’ll bring you what he had to say shortly…

Updated

Alexander Zverev defeats Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-5) Retired

It’s over! Djokovic sends the ball into the net to give up the mini-break and lose the first set in a tie break and immediately turnes to the chair umpire, indicating that he is can’t continue!

After losing that first set in 81 minutes, the injury that the Serb carried into this one was obviously going to be too much to carry and Zverev is into the Australian Open final!

Updated

We’re going to a tiebreak in the first set of this men’s semi-final, Zverev producing some big serves and taking the game without dropping a point.

Updated

Now over an hour into this one and we’re still waiting for our first break of the match, Djokovic dropping just the one point as his well-placed serving and baseline play produces a relatively straightforward hold and makes it 6-5.

Both John McEnroe and Jim Courier on the host broadcast are suggesting that the fitness concerns that Djokovic is carrying into this contest probably does give impressive physical specimen Zverev the advantage– especially if it goes as long as it’s looking it might –but that the German’s history of just being unable to find that ruthless edge in the crucial moments is giving them pause.

Probably our most straightforward game yet, Zverev holding to love – finishing things off with his seventh ace of the game – as it moves to 5-5.

Zverev just cannot break Djokovic, blowing his fifth opportunity to do so as the seventh seed forces a deuce and, eventually, takes the hold after firing down an ace.

His thigh heavily strapped, we saw our first Djokovic limp after Zverev forced the second deuce in that game and Jim Courier on the broadcast is musing that the German, displaying a level of unexpected restraint so far, is banking on dragging this one out in the hopes that his opponent’s body will break down. Mentally, however, these missed opportunities must be beginning to take a toll even if he’s in it for the long haul.

Updated

We’re still on serve, as Zverev produces the hold to take it to 4-4. The German produces the first double fault of the game to fall into a 15-30 hole but he answers back with a 210 km/h ace to draw things level, before directing another 197 km/h ace right past Djokovic to set himself up to produce the hold.

Updated

Djokovic produces another hold to take the game to 4-3. After falling behind, back-to-back winners from Zverev take the game to deuce but he can’t lift an attempted return of a drop shot over the net in giving up the advantage, nor keep his attempted return of a subsequent powerful Djokovic serve inbound.

After a challenging start to this match, the Serb is starting to better zero in his first serve, hitting on 11 in a row to drag his rate up above 50%.

Updated

Zverev drops the opening point of the game but bounces back to take the next four points and take the hold and make it 3-3. Whereas Djokovic is hitting just 36% of his first serves, the German is landing 81% of the time, firing in back-to-back aces to take this game.

Updated

After a shaky opening two services, Djokovic is able to get his first serve working on the third attempt and it pays dividends, dropping just the one point – an unforced error as he attempted to drop a backhand just over the net -- as he takes the hold to go up 3-2.

Updated

Zverev makes it much harder than it needed to be but, eventually, produces the hold. Three straight unforced errors to open give Djokovic three break points but the German saves all of them to force it to deuce, where an ace gives him the advantage and a powerful shot sent straight into his opponent at the net gives him the forced error to take the game.

Updated

Djokovic produces another hold to go up 2-1 but his inability to land a first serve is already looking like it could be an issue going forward. Landing just four of his 21 serves at the first time of asking so far, the Serb was taken to break point four times in that game only to fight back and eventually produce the hold. Unable to land a decisive blow, the host broadcaster is already postulating that the occasion may be getting to Zverev.

Updated

A much less dramatic hold for Zverev, working his serve and baseline play to drop just a single point.

Updated

Djokovic isn’t able to land a first serve in the opening game but still takes it. Zverev pounces on his serve to set up his first winner of the match in its opening point before we get our first long rally – what is sure to be many in the hours ahead – one in which the Serb takes his first point of the game, one which he backs up with a forearm volley to move ahead. Zverev can’t keep his return of a serve down the T as it goes to 40-15 lead but he stays in it after Djokovic sends a forehand long.

But Djokovic gets the hold; both players charging forward after the German has a shot just drop off the top of the net and exchanging drop shots – Zverev sending his around the net – only for the Serb to find a winner.

Updated

It’s a pleasant day in Melbourne, the oppresive heat that has characterised some of the previous days play giving way to a balmy 21 degrees as this semifinal begins. In other words, the weather shouldn’t be a factor in this contest.

Yesterday, of course, saw Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys move into the women’s final. Jack Snape and Tumaini Carayol have recapped all the action.

Sinner put paid to the last of Australian hopes in the men’s draw when he continued his domination over Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals but the local crowd was given something to cheer yesterday when local duo Olivia Gadecki and John Peers took out the mixed doubles.

Jack Snape has filed this from Melbourne.

Djokovic and Zverev have made their way out onto Rod Laver, the tension rising even higher as play approaches.

Updated

The last time Djokovic and Zverev met at a grand slam came in 2021, in the semifinals of the US Open. On that day, the German took out the first set and was able to push Djokovic to five sets but, in the end, was unable to deny him.

Tumaini Carayol’s work in Melbourne across the past few weeks has been superb and his scene setter for today’s men’s semifinals is no different.

Even before he had undergone medical tests, defined the nature of his physical ailment and planned for his recovery, Novak Djokovic knew what was in store for him in the days after his remarkable quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday, which he pulled off despite struggling with left thigh pain.

Preamble

In the moments that matter, when one moment can prove the difference between winning and losing, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner have thrived.

Perhaps none in history have shown the ability to rise to the occasion like the Serb, a level of fortitude and belief without peer taking him to heights few could ever dream of. In Sinner’s words, he likes to “dance in the pressure storm”, Melbourne’s Olympic Park seeing this last year when he came back from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev in the final. These are the mountains that await Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton.

Later tonight will see men’s top seed and defending champion Sinner take the court in prime time against Shelton, the American 21st seed seeking to avoid becoming the 20th straight competitor to challenge the Italian at a hard court grand slam only to be dispatched by the increasingly imperious world No 1.

First, though, it will be Zverev looking to do something that precious few have been able to do over the years, especially on Rod Laver Arena, and what he himself has never been able to do in three attempts at a grand slam: deny the Djoker.

And whereas Djokovic has built a legend on his ability to persevere, the biggest stage has not been all too kind to the German second seed across his career. So often he has flirted with glory – and did claim an Olympic Gold medal in 2021 after a run which included a win over Djokovic – but as shown in last year’s French Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz, grand slams have proven too great a mountain in the past.

Can he overcome these demons? We’re about to find out.

Play: 2.30pm local, 3.30am GMT.

Updated

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