AO 2025 – Men's semi-finals: What to expect?

Two know how to rule Melbourne Park, two have been ever so close. It's crunch time Down Under.

Ben Shelton / Quarts de finale Open d'Australie 2025©Corinne Dubreuil / FFT
 - Alex Sharp

The men's singles draw at Australian Open 2025 has been exhilarating from day one.

Now, only four men remain, spearheaded by reigning champion Jannik Sinner. Who can stop him? Showtime Ben Shelton is looking to break new ground, a certain Novak Djokovic is at this stage of the Grand Slam gauntlet for a 50th time, whilst Alexander Zverev is intent on erasing previous major heartbreak.

Let's get ready to rumble, it's men's semi-finals day on Friday…

Jannik Sinner (No.1) vs Ben Shelton (No.21)

💪 The context / The current form

For undisputed world No.1 Sinner, it's pretty simple. 'The Fox' is seeking a major title defence for the first time.

As for 22-year-old Shelton, the American is looking to become the youngest man through to the Australian Open final since a 20-year-old Djokovic back in 2008.

Shelton certainly has the weapons – a booming serve, explosive movement and canny net skills – for Grand Slam success. He's always been an exhilarating watch. American tennis has been craving a men's Grand Slam singles winner, it's 22 years and counting since Andy Roddick ruled the US Open. Can Shelton unlock his full potential?

🏆 Their 2024 tournament

Reigning champion Sinner is "taking nothing for granted." The 23-year-old has kept dangerous opponents at bay, having also dusted off illness from earlier in the fortnight. Physically and in tennis terms, Sinner was as sharp as possible to swat aside Alex de Minaur in previous round. Just like all the greats, the Italian seems to be peaking at just the right time.

  • 1st round: victory against Nicolas Jarry 7-6(2), 7-6(5), 6-1 (2hrs 40mins)
  • 2nd round: victory against Tristan Schoolkate 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 (2hrs 46mins)
  • 3rd round: victory against Marcos Giron 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 (2hrs 1min)
  • Round of 16: victory against Holger Rune 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 (3hrs 13mins)
  • Quarter-finals: victory against Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 (1hr 48mins)

Stars and stripes youngster Shelton is most buoyed by his adaptability since his first major semi-final 16 months ago at Flushing Meadows.

"For me the differences in my game is when I was playing here in 2023 (quarter-final), US Open 2023 (semi-finals), I felt like everything had to be perfect. I was red-lining. I was at my limits," suggested Shelton.

"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."

  • 1st round: victory against Brandon Nakashima 7-6(3), 7-5, 7-5 (2hrs 40mins)
  • 2nd round: victory against Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-4 (2hrs 36mins)
  • 3rd round: victory against Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) (2hrs 52mins)
  • Round of 16: victory against Gael Monfils 7-6(3), 6-7(3),7-6(2), 1-0 ret. (2hrs 57mins)
  • Quarter-finals: victory against Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) (3hrs 50mins)

🆚 Face-to-face

Last season these young guns duelled three times with the world No.1 taking the honours in all of them in straight sets at Indian Wells, Wimbledon and Shanghai, to extend their head-to-head to 4-1.

All four of Sinner's victories have included a tie-break set, so it will be another finely-poised test for the top seed.

Shelton can take heart from taking the 'W' in their first ever clash back at the 2023 Shanghai Masters with a third set tie-break nail biter.

All the signs point to another pulsating battle royale on Rod Laver Arena.

🎤 Heard in media

Jannik Sinner: "Every time is different, no? The first times you always remember. And then when you do it again, you're still very, very happy to be here. I'm just trying to enjoy this moment, and then we see how it goes. 

"Tough match (against Shelton). One of the biggest serves we have on tour. He's a very aggressive player, an all-around player. He can go to the net. He can stay back. It's difficult match for both of us. We know each other a little bit better now. We had some tough matches in the last year, so let's see what's coming."

Ben Shelton: "Jannik, defending champion. We know what he's done, a really tough matchup. I'm really looking forward to it. I think that anytime you get to line up against the best in the world is a great opportunity to improve your game and see where you're at, and that's what Friday will be for me. 

"I think it's calculated risk. You have to choose your moments, still be confident in the things that you trust.

"But I don't think that 'redlining' would be the term. I think that a more aggressive game style, that's taking the ball a little earlier or serve and volleying more or taking first ball line and running in instead of hitting five or six forehands in a row. I think that I'm figuring out ways to make guys uncomfortable without just playing at my upper limits and slapping."

Novak Djokovic (No.7) vs Alexander Zverev (No.2)

💪 The context / The current form

Just like every time all-time great Djokovic strolls onto court, history is on the line. Victory on Friday night would see the 37-year-old become the second player ever, after his perennial rival Roger Federer, to record 100 singles wins at the Australian Open.

Djokovic is seeking a record-extending 11th Australian Open final and 38th in majors. The Serbian is just two matches away from an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title.

There is the stumbling block of his left thigh, which he injured in his pulsating quarter-final clash with Carlos Alcaraz.

On the other hand, Zverev is desperate to break his Grand Slam duck, especially after narrow defeats in the US Open 2020 and Roland-Garros 2024 finals. A maiden final in Melbourne would be another significant step.

🏆 Their 2024 tournament

Djokovic himself described his Elite 8 tussle with Alcaraz as one of his finest matches ever in Melbourne. He's the ultimate Grand Slam competitor, rising through the gears each round, dismissing high-quality players with relative ease.

  • 1st round: victory against Nishesh Basavareddy 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 (2hrs 59mins)
  • 2nd round: victory against Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 (3hrs)
  • 3rd round: victory against Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 (2hrs 22mins)
  • Round of 16: victory against Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) (2hrs 39mins)
  • Quarter-finals: victory against Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 (3hrs 37mins)

In the main it's been pretty smooth sailing for the No.2 seed, who has frequently become embroiled in marathon five-setters in the majors. With plenty in the tank, the German will have all the resources to attack Djokovic at full tilt.

  • 1st round: victory against Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 (2hrs 21mins)
  • 2nd round: victory against Pedro Martinez 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 (1hr 54mins)
  • 3rd round: victory against Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 (2hrs 2mins)
  • Round of 16: victory against Ugo Humbert 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 (2hrs 16mins)
  • Quarter-finals: victory against Tommy Paul 7-6(1), 7-6(0), 2-6, 6-1 (3hrs 28mins)

🆚 Face-to-face 

Zverev certainly isn't fazed by going toe-to-toe with Djokovic.

The all-conquering Serbian leads their rivalry at 8-4, which includes three wins at Grand Slams. Djokovic clinched a 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(6) scoreline facing Zverev at AO 2021 in the quarter-finals.

The scoreboard has always been nip and tuck. Zverev can also harness belief from big stage wins too, such as an ATP Finals 2021 victory over three sets. He also toppled Djokovic from a set down en route to Tokyo 2020 gold medal glory.

🎤 Heard in media

Novak Djokovic: "It's definitely going to be challenging from every aspect. I'm playing Zverev, who is in a great form, and he is going for his first Grand Slam. He's been close. I've seen him play. I practiced with him as well here.

"I think he loves the conditions. He's got big serve. He's super dangerous opponent on this surface against anyone.

"The extra day with no match comes at a good time. I'll take it day by day. Now it's really about recovery. I'm concerned. I am, to be honest, physically. Actually it feels like you're feeding off this kind of win (vs Alcaraz). That's how I feel now. I hope to be able physically to be moving freely and to be able to be ready to play five sets. I don't think I'm going to have mentally or emotionally any issue to face Zverev or to motivate myself."

Alexander Zverev: "I think if you are in a semi-final of a Grand Slam, you have to expect a tough match. If somebody's there, that means they have played great tennis. And yes, more often than not it happens to be Sinner and Alcaraz, a Djokovic, to get there because those are the best players in the world. 

"I'm going to prepare myself for a tough battle, prepare myself for a very intense and high-level match. I know I have the level. I've beaten them before. Hopefully I can do that again in two days' time."