Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Australian Open match.
Jannik Sinner reaffirms his status as one of the world's top players. For the second consecutive year, he's reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open. For Ben Shelton, this marks his second appearance in the top four at a Grand Slam tournament. Following last year's setback at the US Open, he's eager to prove his readiness to compete for a major title.
Jannik Sinner
The Italian enters the semi-final in superb form. He has won 28 of his last 29 matches on hard courts, showcasing dominance from the baseline. At the Australian Open, Sinner has triumphed in 16 of 17 matches and comfortably dispatched Alex de Minaur in the quarter-final (6:3, 6:2, 6:1). His performance against the Australian included a remarkable 85% of points won on first serve and only 20 unforced errors. In head-to-head encounters with Ben Shelton, Jannik has won four out of five times, claiming the last nine sets in succession.
Ben Shelton
The American has been a revelation in Melbourne. Despite dropping four sets, Shelton has taken at least one set in 17 of 19 Grand Slam matches. He truly shines at major tournaments, having secured 24 victories, even more than at Masters events (20). His major strengths are his powerful serve, reaching speeds of up to 230 km/h, and his forehand. However, Shelton currently lacks the versatility and experience needed to consistently challenge elite opponents over long matches.
Jannik Sinner vs Ben Shelton Prediction
Sinner plays confidently on hard courts and is the more stable player. Nonetheless, Shelton is a dangerous opponent capable of causing problems with his formidable first serve, making this unlikely to be a one-sided affair. We are backing a total over.
