MELBOURNE, Australia — The Final Four: A Closer Look at the Australian Open Men’s Semifinalists
As the Australian Open reaches its thrilling climax, the tennis world is abuzz with excitement. After 11 days of intense competition at Melbourne Park, we are down to the final four contenders. These players have battled through the draw, showcasing their skills, resilience, and determination. Now, they stand on the brink of glory, each with their own unique story and motivation. Let’s dive into the profiles of these semifinalists and explore why each of them has a legitimate shot at lifting the coveted trophy.
Jannik Sinner (1)
Jannik Sinner has been a force to be reckoned with over the past year. In 2024, he achieved remarkable success, winning the Australian Open, US Open, and ATP Finals, amassing over $19 million in prize money, and securing the world’s No. 1 ranking. His dominance on the court has been nothing short of extraordinary.
While Sinner hasn’t quite reached the legendary status of Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park, he’s certainly on a similar trajectory. The 23-year-old Italian has won 15 of his last 16 Australian Open matches, with 10 of those victories coming without dropping a set. His hard-court record at the majors is equally impressive, boasting 19 consecutive wins.
Despite facing challenges such as illness and heat in his fourth-round match against Holger Rune, Sinner bounced back with a commanding performance against Australian eighth seed Alex de Minaur, losing just six games in a one-sided quarterfinal.
“I feel like the illness has gone away now,” Sinner stated confidently after his quarterfinal win. “I was feeling much, much better. I felt like today was a very great match from my side … the best match of the tournament.”
Sinner’s precision and consistency have been key to his success, as he has committed the fewest unforced errors among the semifinalists. His path to the final has been relatively smooth, as he has yet to face a player with major semifinal experience. Sinner is the favorite against Ben Shelton, having defeated him in their last four encounters, winning nine consecutive sets. If he advances, he will face either Djokovic or Alexander Zverev, both of whom he has beaten in recent meetings. This tournament is Sinner’s to lose.
Alexander Zverev (2)
Alexander Zverev has been knocking on the door of Grand Slam success for years. The German world No. 2 has reached 10 major semifinals and was a runner-up at the US Open in 2020 and the French Open in 2024. His performance at Roland Garros last year was a highlight of his career-best season, during which he won two Masters 1000 titles and recorded 69 wins.
Zverev arrived at Melbourne Park in top form and has continued to impress, living up to his ranking as the second-best player in the world. Facing Djokovic at the Australian Open is a daunting task, but Zverev has proven he can beat him, having won two of their last four meetings, including a hard-court semifinal victory at the Tokyo Olympics.
One of Zverev’s strengths is his serve, which has been exceptional this tournament. He is landing 71% of his first serves, the best among the semifinalists, and winning 78% of those points. Against Djokovic, Zverev will need to maintain this level of serving to keep the pressure on the Serbian legend.
“I have set a goal that I want to achieve my dream of winning a Grand Slam, and I’m chasing that,” Zverev said after his quarterfinal win over Tommy Paul. “I’m doing everything I can to be in another [Grand Slam final] on Sunday.”
Novak Djokovic (7)
Novak Djokovic is synonymous with success at the Australian Open. With 10 titles to his name, he has been a dominant force at Melbourne Park, losing just five times in the last 15 years. His record in semifinals and finals at the Australian Open is an intimidating 20-1.
Despite not winning a Grand Slam in 2024, Djokovic remains a formidable opponent. He has demonstrated his ability to defeat top players, including world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, whom he bested twice last year, once for Olympic gold and again in an epic Australian Open quarterfinal.
However, Djokovic’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. He suffered a leg injury during his match against Alcaraz, requiring a medical timeout and strapping on his left thigh. While this injury could pose a hurdle, Djokovic has a history of overcoming physical setbacks to claim victory, as seen in his 2021 and 2023 Australian Open triumphs.
“I’ll take it day by day. It’s really about my recovery. The extra day with no match comes at a good time,” Djokovic said after his quarterfinal win. “If I manage to somehow be physically good enough, I think mentally, emotionally, I’m as motivated as I can be.”
An 11th Australian Open title would not only extend Djokovic’s record but also give him a 25th major title, breaking the tie with Margaret Court for the most singles Grand Slam titles. At 37 years, 8 months, and three days, he would also become the oldest man to win a major title.
Ben Shelton (21)
Ben Shelton enters the semifinals with a sense of freedom and opportunity. As the underdog, he faces less pressure and expectation compared to his opponents. This could work to his advantage, allowing him to play with a fearless mindset.
Despite a challenging 2024 season at the majors, Shelton has shown significant improvement and gained valuable experience. The 22-year-old American claimed victory in Houston, reached the final in Basel, and secured wins over top 10 players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, boosting his ranking back into the top 20.
“I’m winning in different ways, for sure,” Shelton said after his quarterfinal win over Lorenzo Sonego. “When I was playing here in 2023, US Open 2023, I felt like everything had to be perfect. I was red-lining. I was at my limits. Lately, especially in the matches here, everything hasn’t been perfect. I’ve had to pick up the slack with everything in my game.”
Shelton’s serve is his most potent weapon, clocking the fastest serve of the tournament at 232kph (144.2mph). He has been broken just six times in 98 service games, landing 66% of his first serves and winning 79% of those points. His service games are often quick and decisive.
While oddsmakers may view Shelton as the least likely to win the title, his journey to the semifinals has been marked by resilience and determination. He has faced tough challenges and emerged victorious, proving that he is a contender to be reckoned with.
- Jannik Sinner: Defending champion, world No. 1, and favorite against Shelton.
- Alexander Zverev: World No. 2, seeking his first Grand Slam title, strong serve.
- Novak Djokovic: 10-time Australian Open champion, battling injury, chasing 25th major title.
- Ben Shelton: Underdog, powerful serve, playing with freedom and confidence.
Originally Written by: Jake Michaels
