Top seed Jannik Sinner showcased an impressive blend of skill and poise on Wednesday, dispatching American Ben Shelton with a score of 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 on the prestigious No. 1 Court, securing his spot in the Wimbledon semifinals. The 23-year-old Italian expertly neutralized Shelton’s power, completing the match in a swift two hours and 19 minutes.
“It’s definitely frustrating,” acknowledged Shelton post-match. “Sinner’s ball speed is extraordinarily high. You don’t get that kind of experience throughout the tournament. When playing him, it feels like everything is operating at 2x speed. I usually adapt well to that pace, but it’s tough when someone is hitting so consistently and powerfully from both sides.”
Following some doubts about Sinner’s physical condition after a slip in his fourth-round encounter with Grigor Dimitrov, who had to retire due to a pectoral injury, Sinner appeared unscathed in the quarterfinals, although there were moments of concern about his elbow.
“Yesterday, I practiced for 20 minutes without serving and not pushing myself to 100%,” Sinner explained. “I convinced myself that I would compete today. So concerns about whether I could play were minimal; it was really about assessing my performance readiness.
“Today, I felt very prepared, and I’m pleased with that.”
The first set held a light-hearted moment at 3-all when Shelton served a staggering 139 mph ace. A fan shouted for him to hit a 140 mph serve, prompting Shelton to respond with a 147 mph missile that just sailed long. He maintained focus, while Sinner remained steadfast, eventually seizing the set with a flawless tiebreak, amassing seven consecutive points.
“Ben is incredibly young and a massive server,” Sinner remarked. “He’s not easy to play against; you may create opportunities, but then he serves brilliantly, leaving you second-guessing your next move.”
Securing a single break in each of the subsequent sets, Sinner stifled Shelton’s momentum effectively. Central to his victory was his forehand, which has evolved into a lethal weapon. While initially recognized as a backhand-centric player, he now uses his forehand to control rallies and clinch points. As a standout returner, Sinner appeared to anticipate Shelton’s serves effortlessly while also capitalizing on his backhand vulnerabilities.
“I feel like I’m a transformed player and individual,” Sinner explained. “Hopefully, I’ve matured as well.
“Tennis is such a mental sport; it requires experience and adaptability, while your primary focus remains on improving your game.”
His adjustment to grass continues. To tackle the worn court surface, Sinner donned brand-new shoes specifically for greater grip—something he doesn’t typically do on other surfaces. “On grass, having solid grip is paramount,” he stated. “I didn’t even practice in them beforehand.”
“Of course, you strive to conquer tournaments you haven’t won, particularly on various surfaces,” he shared. “Wimbledon remains untouched for me, and I desire it more than ever.”
Sinner’s next challenge is a showdown with Novak Djokovic, the seven-time champion at Wimbledon.
“Novak and I know each other’s games quite well, having faced off numerous times,” Sinner noted.
“However, I’ve yet to secure a victory against him here, so it’s going to be a formidable challenge.
“Semifinals at Grand Slams are exhilarating, remarkable opportunities,” he added. “I hope to showcase some exceptional tennis in the upcoming match.”
