Australian Open: Shelton winning 'in different ways' since last grand slam semi

Ben Shelton said that winning in different ways has helped him improve his overall game as he eyes a first career grand slam final at the Australian Open.

Shelton reached his second grand slam semi-final after coming through four sets to beat Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7-4) at Rod Laver Arena.

The American is the youngest player to reach the final four at Melbourne Park in the men’s singles since Stefanos Tsitsipas did so back in 2019.

Since 1988, Shelton is one of the two left-handed players who have reached the semi-finals of both hard-court men’s singles grand slams, along with the great Rafael Nadal.

His reward for his victory over Sonego was a semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner, who breezed past home favourite Alex de Minaur in straight sets shortly after Shelton's clash.

Shelton's run in Melbourne is his joint-best across the grand slam tournaments he has played in his career, having reached the final four of the US Open in 2023.

In the same year, the American reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, losing his match to compatriot Tommy Paul in straight sets. But this year, Shelton feels different.

"For me, the differences in my game is 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," Shelton said.

"I was hitting a lot of winners. I was serving amazing. Everything had to fall in line for that to happen, me to have those runs.

"Lately, especially in the matches here, everything hasn't been perfect. I had one good serving day out of my five matches.

"I've had to pick up the slack with everything else in my game. I think I'm a much better returner right now than in the past. I'm winning in different ways, for sure."

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Among players yet to reach the final at the event in the Open Era, Shelton (84.6%, 11-2) holds the best men’s singles winning percentage in Melbourne - minimum 10 matches.

Shelton also remains the last player ranked outside the ATP’s top 10 to defeat Sinner on hard court, winning from a set down in Shanghai (round of 16) in 2023.

On his route to the Australian Open semi-finals, Shelton has beaten Brandon Nakashima, Pablo Carreno Busta, Lorenzo Mussetti and fellow entertainer, Gael Monfils.

Monfils was forced to retire from their match while trailing by two sets to one, though Shelton was quick to reiterate that the Frenchman was still the "GOAT" showman in the spot.

"I don't know about showman," he said. "I'm definitely trying to be more focused on the court. Passionate about being out there.

"I love being out there, and that energy comes out at times.

"In terms of showman, Gael is the GOAT. He will always be the GOAT. No, I see myself a little bit differently out there.

"I've been trying to have blinders on when I play, not notice too much outside the court, and be a little bit more focused and just locked in from start to finish."