Ben Shelton is relishing the chance to exact revenge on defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner after booking a quarter-final clash with the Italian on Monday. 

Shelton sealed his spot in the last eight with a win over Casper Rudd, coming from a set down to clinch a 3-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 triumph in two hours and 36 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.

Indeed, the American reached his fifth career men's singles quarter-final at a grand slam, and his third at the Australian Open, having done so in 2023 and at last year's edition. 

But up next for the eighth seed is a familiar foe in Sinner, who eased past compatriot Luciano Darderi earlier in the day to keep his quest of a Melbourne three-peat alive. 

And Sinner has the better of his battles with Shelton, holding a record of 8-1, with the latter's only victory coming in their first-ever meeting in Shanghai three years ago. 

One of those defeats came in the semi-finals at the Australian Open in 2025, with Sinner emerging a 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 6-2 victor, but Shelton is out for redemption this time around. 

"It's what you look forward to most in this sport," Shelton said of his upcoming clash with Sinner. "It's where I wanted to be. I wanted to be back here.

"I wanted to give myself another shot, improve on some things I didn't do as well last year and leave it all out on the court."

Quarter-Finals Bound! @BenShelton takes out Ruud to advance into a 5th career Grand Slam quarter-final where he will face Jannik Sinner #AO26 pic.twitter.com/5w8N91sgEU

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 26, 2026

Shelton could reach his third career men's singles semi-final at a grand slam for the third time by beating Sinner, after the US Open in 2023 and last year's Australian Open. 

He can also become the third player born since 2000 to defeat the reigning men's singles champion at a grand slam, after world number one Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner. 

However, Shelton holds a career win-loss record of 1-5 against top 10 opponents at major tournaments, with his sole win coming against Frances Tiafoe (US Open 2023).

But the 23-year-old is enjoying his time out on the court Down Under, and believes he is playing some of his best tennis at Melbourne Park.  

"For me, the atmosphere is everything," added Shelton. "I'm definitely a competitor. I'm rowdy on the court and I look forward to rowdy crowds.

"Down here in Australia, there's no shortage. From my first experience, I fell in love with this tournament. It's one of my favourites marked down on the calendar every year."