Ben Shelton got the better of Lorenzo Sonego in a scintillating Australian Open quarter-final. (More Tennis News)
Shelton⛄ was knocked out in the quarter-finals in 2023, but he ensured he would go at least one better this time as he prevailed 6-4 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7-4).
𒐪Both Shelton and Sonego pulled out all the stops to the delight of the crowd at Rod Laver Arena.
🍰An incredible diving volley from Sonego in the first game of the second set, to save break point, was a standout, as was a diving lunge from Shelton during the tie-break.
🌠Yet Shelton recovered with some sensational serves to close out the match and cap off his remarkable run.
💜"I feel relieved right now. Shout out Lorenzo Sonego, that was some ridiculous tennis," the American said.
🍌"This was one of the favourite matches of my career."
Data Debrief: Shelton emulates Nadal
🦂Since 1988, when the Australian Open moved to Melbourne Park, Shelton is just the second left-handed player to reach the semi-finals of both hard court grand slams, after the great Rafael Nadal.
🐈He is also the youngest left-handed player to reach the Australian Open semi-finals since Nadal back in 2008.
🍎In fact, the 22-year-old is the youngest player to reach the semi-finals at Melbourne Park since Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2019.
