The young American said he felt his level was close to that of the Italian champion, on the sidelines of the Melbourne challenge

Defending champion Jannik Sinner will face Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open men's final on Sunday. Sinner is seeking his third Grand Slam title overall.

Sinner, the world No. 1 and defending champion, reached his second straight Australian Open final with a 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 semifinal victory over No. 21 Ben Shelton, the Atlanta native. The Italian improved to 15-0 against Americans in majors.

The win sets up a showdown with Alexander Zverev of Germany in Sunday’s final. Earlier Friday, Zverev won the first set of his semifinal when Novak Djokovic missed a putaway volley in a tiebreak. Djokovic retired on the spot, unable to overcome the muscle tear he suffered in his quarterfinal win over Carlos Alcaraz Tuesday night.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner overcame an early test against American Ben Shelton to reach his second straight Australian Open final, winning 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2.

Sinner will try to add to his Australian Open trophy haul when he faces Alexander Zverev for the championship.

Jannik Sinner fought through an attack of cramp to subdue his explosive young challenger Ben Shelton in three sets and keep his title defence on the road.

Jannik Sinner defended Novak Djokovic's decision to retire during his semifinal match at the 2025 Australian Open.

In the Australian Open final on Sunday, Jannik Sinner meets Alexander Zverev.Sinner claimed a three-set victory over Ben Shelton (7-6, 6-2, 6-2) in the semifinals in his last match on Friday.

Jannik Sinner has overcome some third-set cramping to beat Ben Shelton 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 to return to the Australian Open final as he pursues a third Grand Slam title.

Jannik Sinner plays Alexander Zverev in the 2025 Australian Open final. Our Australian Open Championship odds series has our Sinner Zverev prediction, odds and pick. Find out how to watch Sinner-Zverev.