Jannik Sinner kept his ambitions of a three-peat at the Australian Open going after defeating Ben Shelton in straight sets to reach the semi-finals.

The world number two won 6-3 6-4 6-4 in two hours and 25 minutes on Wednesday to set up a last four clash with Novak Djokovic.

After saving a break point in the very first game of the match, Sinner then took Shelton’s serve on his way to a 4-1 lead in the opening set.

And though the Italian also squandered three break point opportunities of his own later, he still won the first as Shelton looked for a way back into the match.

However, another early break of serve in the second put Sinner on the front foot again, but Shelton failed to capitalise on three break points as he found himself two sets down against the reigning champion.

And it was the same story in the third as one converted break point for Sinner was enough to seal victory, which he did with his second match point.

5 - Jannik Sinner is the fifth player in the Open Era to reach the Men’s Singles Semi-Final at 6+ consecutive Grand Slam events after Lendl, Federer, Djokovic & Nadal. Resolute. #AusOpen | @AustralianOpen @atptour pic.twitter.com/jH1zsB2x9G

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 28, 2026

Data Debrief: Half-century on hard courts for Sinner

Sinner has registered 50 wins in hard-court men's singles grand slams from 60 matches; the last player to register their first 50 such wins in as many or fewer matches was Roger Federer in 2006 (59).

Sinner is also the fifth player in the Open Era to reach the men’s singles semi-final at six or more consecutive grand slam events after Ivan Lendl, Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.