Australian Open, Day 11 Highlights: Sinner sets up Djokovic semi-final clash
Australian Open, Day 11 Highlights:
Jannik Sinner cruised past Ben Shelton to secure his place in the semi-finals of the Australian Open. This is his third consecutive appearance in the final four in Melbourne and will go up against Novak Djokovic.
Sinner to face Djokovic in semi-final
Jannik Sinner cruised past Ben Shelton in the end with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. The Italian looked to be in complete control of the contest throughout and while Shelton did test him the third set, the Italian makes his way to another semi-final. Next up, another battle with Novak Djokovic.
Sinner breaks Shelton
That looked to be the turning point that Sinner was hoping for as he breaks Shelton. He takes 5-4 lead and is serving for the game and an entry into the semi-finals.
AUS Open: Shelton battling back against Sinner
The third set has been a more testing one for Sinner with Shelton continuing to push him into the match. The Italian continues to hold the edge in the competition but it is getting a bit more tough from the American’s side.
Defense 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-time 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 victory, all of which have been without conceding a set.
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.
“We go day by day, today I felt I was moving again, a little bit better, I feel physically stronger again,” the relentless Sinner said after easing into a sixth consecutive Grand Slam semifinal.
We all know what challenge I am up to,” he said of facing Djokovic, 38. “These are the moments you practice for and wake up for in the morning.
“It improves you as a player and a person. We are lucky to have Novak still here playing incredible tennis for his age.”
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.
A pair of breakpoints came and went in the fifth game of the third set, but Sinner benefited from a Shelton double fault to go 5-4 up and wrapped up the win on serve to ensure his meeting with the 24-time major champion.
The Italian second seed dispatched Shelton 6–3, 6–4, 6–4 on Rod Laver Arena, dropping only one set en route to his sixth consecutive Grand Slam semi-final. Sinner raced to an early lead, sealed the first set with an ace, and maintained control despite Shelton’s aggressive play and the backing of a vibrant Melbourne crowd.
Shelton, who had defeated Sinner only once in their nine previous meetings, struggled with consistency, committing 33 unforced errors. A double fault late in the third set handed Sinner the decisive break.
“Today I felt I was moving better, I felt physically stronger again,”Sinner said. These are the moments you practice for and wake up for in the morning.
The 24-year-old acknowledged the magnitude of facing Djokovic: “We are lucky to have Novak still here playing incredible tennis for his age.”
Sener will now face Djokovic, a 10-time Melbourne champion and 24-time Grand Slam winner, who advanced after Lorenzo Musetti retired with a leg injury. The other semi-final features Carlos Alcaraz against Alex Zverev, promising a thrilling final four lineup.
On Day 11 of the Australian Open 2026, Jannik Sinner defeated Ben Shelton in straight sets to advance to the semi-finals, where he would face Novak Djokovic. Djokovic advanced after his opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, retired due to injury while leading by two sets.
Men’s Quarterfinal Results (Day 11)
Key Stats Ben Shelton Jannik Sinter Novak Djokovic Lorenzo Musetti
Final Score 3-6, 4-6, 4-6 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 4-6, 3-6, 3-1 ret. 6-4, 6-3, 1-3 ret.
1st Serve Points Won 69% (48/70) 78% (42/54) N/A N/A
2nd Serve Points Won 41% (13/32) 65% (24/37) N/A N/A
Break Points Saved 75% (9/12) 100% (4/4) N/A N/A
Match Recaps
Sinner vs. Shelton: The defending champion Jannik Sinner continued his dominant run at Melbourne Park, expanding his winning streak to 19 consecutive matches without dropping a set. He was in full control throughout the match, using an aggressive return game to nullify Shelton’s powerful serve.
Djokovic vs. Musetti: In a shocking turn of events, Novak Djokovic was down by two sets and facing elimination when his Italian opponent Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire due to an upper right leg injury in the third set. Djokovic admitted he felt “extremely lucky” to progress, acknowledging that Musetti was the better player at the time of retirement.
Semi-Final Information
The highly anticipated semi-final clash between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner will take place on Friday, January 30, 2026. In the other men’s semi-final, Carlos Alcaraz will face Alex Zverev.
For the complete schedule and results, you can check the Australian Open website or get details on the Australian Open 2026 schedule.
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