Sinner defeats Shelton, faces Zverev in Australian Open final

Jannik Sinner is a heavy favourite across tennis betting sites to defend his Australian Open title after defeating Ben Shelton 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-2 in the semi-finals at Melbourne Park on Friday.

The top online bookmakers have the Italian at just $1.36 to win the title in Melbourne off the back of his two-hour, 36-minute demolition of the American.

Sinner did not play his best tennis over the opening set, twice going down a break and facing two set points on Shelton’s serve.

However, the top seed found a way to win then assumed the kind of form that has led him to No.1 in the world over the past 12 months, racing past the No.21 seed untroubled over sets two and three.

Shelton will rue his missed opportunities, with the 22-year-old spraying 55 unforced errors and failing to capitalise on several chances to go ahead courtesy of his erratic forehand.

“Honestly really disappointed,” Shelton said after the match.

“You know going into the match that playing Jannik is a tough ask.

“For me, I’ve made my living on tour so far serving out sets and being able to serve out sets.

“Having two set points on my serve, serving at 6-5, I feel like uncharacteristic for me not to come through and win that.

“Obviously you’re playing the No.1 player in the world, the chances, the windows are always small.

“Sometimes you miss your window, and the guy steps up his level, starts making a lot more first serves, playing better.

“The break chances don’t come as often.

“Probably one of my worst serving days in this tournament so far, which is disappointing, now being six matches into the tournament.”

Sinner’s opponent in the Australian Open final – Alexander Zverev – had a much lighter day on Friday, advancing to the tennis championship match after just one hour and 21 minutes after Novak Djokovic withdrew injured.

Still, the German is a heavy underdog to claim his first Grand Slam title on Sunday, with BlondeBet putting him at odds of $3.25 to win.

Sinner is still wary of the challenge Zverev presents, particularly since he leads their head-to-head 4-2.

“It’s going to be mental, no?” Sinner said.

“Of course, we played already sometimes.

“It’s going to be a tough match for both of us.

“It’s going to be physical, for sure.

“I think he played some incredible tennis to go to the final.

“It’s tough to say whoever is the favourite in a way because everything can happen.

“These are all questions we are going to get answered Sunday. It’s very difficult to talk today in advance.”

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