Defending champion Jannik Sinner beats eighth seed Ben Shelton 6-3 6-4 6-4 to set up semi-final with Novak Djokovic
Djokovic scrapes through to semi-finals - Lorenzo Musetti led by two sets before retiring injured
"He was by far the better player, I was on my way home," says Djokovic
Elena Rybakina ends Iga Swiatek's career Grand Slam hopes
Rybakina will face Jessica Pegula in semi-finals after American beat Amanda Anisimova
Great Britain's Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid to meet in men's wheelchair singles quarter-final after first-round wins on Wednesday
*Shelton 1-2 Sinner
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
It definitely feels like Shelton's got an attitude of 'I'm just going to come out here, swing big and take my chances, rip the ball any opportunity and no holding back' - and I think that is the right attitude. Make things happen.
*Shelton 1-2 Sinner
We could be in for a long one here. Over 20 minutes gone, and just three games played.
Jannik Sinner gets through another tight service hold.
Shelton 1-1 Sinner*
Ben Shelton does brilliantly to stay in the point and he forces Jannik Sinner to the back of a court with a perfectly placed lob, but he goes for pure power on the next hit and the ball crunches into the net.
He pulls us back level with a forehand winner, though. Deuce.
Shelton 1-1 Sinner*
A double fault from Jannik Sinner gives Ben Shelton an opening, and the American takes full advantage with a booming cross-court winner flying off his backhand. 30-30.
Shelton 1-1 Sinner*
There we go. Ben Shelton wriggles free and holds serve as Jannik Sinner hammers a forehand wide.
Image source, AFP via Getty Images*Shelton 0-1 Sinner
Ben Shelton is struggling to get this game over the line.
The American has the whole court to aim for, but he goes for a down-the-line winner and he sends it a tad wide. Back to deuce.
An overhead smash nearly fizzes into Sinner's face and the Italian gets revenge on the next point when he lets Shelton's forehand run long.
Deuce. Again.
*Shelton 0-1 Sinner
Image source, Getty ImagesNow it's Jannik Sinner's turn to pile on the pressure on Ben Shelton's serve. He goes for the drop shot but Shelton gets there and Sinner picks out a brilliant pass down the line.
The American then nets and we go to deuce.
BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Listen to live commentary of Jannik Sinner's quarter-final against Ben Shelton on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
You can find it by clicking on the link at the top of this page or by heading to BBC Sounds.
*Shelton 0-1 Sinner
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Sinner is so good at shutting the door with that serve delivery. It seems so unflappable and so calm, you have no idea what's going on in his mind when he walks up to serve.
*Shelton 0-1 Sinner
Ben Shelton tries to draw Jannik Sinner forwards on the next two points, but it doesn't have the desired effect. The Italian gets there on both occasions and easily swats away winners.
Not an easy opening service game by any means, but Sinner is on the board.
Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesShelton 0-0 Sinner*
Jannik Sinner whacks a huge first serve down the T. Ben Shelton gets a racquet to it but that's about all he can do. Deuce.
Shelton 0-0 Sinner*
Jannik Sinner isn't off to the best of starts on his first serve, missing the first three.
But Ben Shelton is looking equally as tight and he can't capitalise on the second serve, sending a couple of backhands high and wide.
Sinner loops a forehand long and then finds the net. An early opportunity for Shelton.
Shelton 0-0 Sinner*
The warm-ups are done and we're ready to go.
Who will Novak Djokovic be facing in the semi-finals?
Let's find out...
Sinner v Shelton
Image source, Getty ImagesJannik Sinner has won his past 18 matches at Melbourne Park.
He hasn't lost an Australian Open match in over two years - when he fell to a five-set defeat by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth round in 2023.
Can Ben Shelton end that streak today?
Sinner v Shelton
The players are out on Rod Laver Arena so play should be under way very shortly.
It sounded like Jannik Sinner got more love from the crowd as he arrived, but it will be interesting to see if they get behind Ben Shelton as the match goes on. Everyone loves an underdog.
Sinner v Shelton
Image source, Getty ImagesBen Shelton loves the hard courts in Melbourne. This is his fourth Australian Open appearance and, for the third time, he is into the last eight.
His best run was last year, when he got to the semi-finals and lost to today's opponent Jannik Sinner.
The American left-hander is seeded eighth this year but has gone somewhat under the radar, with so many of the other stars of the men's game also progressing safely through the draw.
He has dropped just the one set in the tournament so far and that was against Casper Ruud in the previous round.
Sinner v Shelton
Image source, Getty ImagesJannik Sinner's bid for a third consecutive Australian Open title continues, but to say it's been plain sailing to this point would be a bit of a stretch...
The Italian made it safely through the first two rounds without alarm but, in Saturday's extreme heat, was fortunate to escape with a four-set win over world number 85 Eliot Spizzirri.
Sinner was visibly cramping and struggling to move in the third set when the tournament's heat rules came into operation, allowing him to gain some much-needed refreshment and treatment off court while the roof was closed.
Normal service was resumed in round four as he defeated compatriot Luciano Darderi in straight sets, but there were still some signs of fatigue from the second seed.
Sinner v Shelton
Ben Shelton won the first of the nine matches he has played at tour level against Jannik Sinner.
Since then, Sinner has been dominant - winning eight in a row without losing a set.
Image source, Getty ImagesClick 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say
Absolutely gutted for Musetti. Sport can be so very cruel at times... Wishing him a speedy recovery and hoping to see him back to his best before long.
Patsy
Djokovic reaching a semi-final of a Grand Slam having only played 11 sets all tournament is surely a first for any player! An in form Alcaraz has played 15.
Jai
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter her quarter-final defeat by Elina Svitolina on Tuesday, Coco Gauff called for more privacy for players after she was captured smashing a racquet in the players' area.
A despondent Gauff, 21, had served five double faults, made 26 unforced errors and hit just three winners in a 6-1 6-2 loss that took just 59 minutes.
The American did not smash the racquet on court but was filmed by the tournament's behind-the-scenes coverage, with the footage then broadcast on TV and social media.
Gauff said she had made a conscious effort to suppress her emotions until she was away from public view.
She referenced a similar incident at the 2023 US Open, when Aryna Sabalenka was captured smashing her racquet after losing the final to Gauff.
"I tried to go somewhere where there were no cameras," said Gauff. "Certain moments - the same thing happened to Aryna after I played her in the US Open final - I feel like they don't need to broadcast.
"Maybe some conversations can be had because I feel like, at this tournament, the only private place we have is the locker room."
