AO 2025 - SF: Sinner and Zverev secure final ticket

It's the top two seeds ready to fight for the first men's singles Grand Slam of the season on Sunday.

Jannik Sinner / Troisième tour Open d'Australie 2025©Corinne Dubreuil / FFT
 - Alex Sharp

After all the talk of projected matches, favourites and possible routes to the final, it's the top two stars calling the shots at Melbourne Park.

That's right, world No.1 Jannik Sinner's Australian Open title defence remains intact with back-to-back finals Down Under. However, there will be no outright record 25th major for the injured Novak Djokovic. Instead, world No.2 Alexander Zverev has booked his maiden Australian Open final spot.

Here is all you need to know from AO 2025 semi-finals Friday…

Sinner strikes back-to-back

Reigning champion Sinner nullified the threat of showman Ben Shelton 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-2 on Friday to chalk up his 20th consecutive Grand Slam victory on hard courts.

"It was a very tough first set but a very crucial one. I felt like he wasn't serving at his best today, the percentage wasn't where he wanted it to be. I think we both actually returned better than we served," said Sinner, who suffered slight cramping down the finishing straight.

"The first set is always very important, it gives you a lot of confidence and there was a lot of tension for both of us. I'm very happy with the way I handled the situation today."

No.21 seed Shelton unleashed a 160km/h forehand pass in the opening game to break and send out a signal of intent. The American's drop shot floored Sinner on one occasion, as Shelton nailed the telling points to lead 6-5. Serving out the opener, Shelton held two set points, but the top seed quickly evaporated those chances, before steamrolling the tie-break.

The world No.1 started to turn the screw, a fizzing backhand down the line posted an instant break in the second set. On a run of 19 successive match wins, Sinner's knowhow in the pivotal points shone through to extend his commanding lead to two sets.

Shelton was pushing, probing, trying to mix it up, but the top seed kept managing the rhythm of the tie.

The American was revitalised, cracking an adrenaline fuelled forehand on the stretch, prompting a huge roar from the 22-year-old. Shelton then had both players' teams applauding a 23-shot rally decorated with a cutting angled backhand drop shot. However, he couldn't convert his rare chances (finishing on 2/7 break point conversion) or sustain enough pressure to derail the two-time major winner.

Sinner wasn't flashy, wasn't rattling off endless winners, he was efficient and calculated. Hence his nickname of 'the fox.'

"It will be a very tough match," said Sinner, 2-4 in previous battles with Zverev. "We had some tough matches in the past. He is an incredible player, he is looking for his first major and there is going to be a lot of tension again. But I'm happy to put myself in this position once again.

"Sundays are always very special, especially in tournaments. I'm going to enjoy it."

Zverev within touching distance again

Earlier on Friday, Novak Djokovic's muscle tear in his left leg meant the 24-time major winner was forced to retire injured at 7-6(5) after Zverev had just stolen away the opening set on Rod Laver Arena.

Zverev was gracious in the circumstances, but can now look ahead to a third Grand Slam final. At US Open 2020 and Roland-Garros 2024, the No.2 seed has endured painful defeats. Third time's a charm for the German?

"It would be nice to win one more set than the first two I played," said Zverev with a grin. "I lost twice in a fifth set, one of those was in a tie-breaker at the US Open, so I've had my tough losses.

"I feel like it's time for me to have some luck in a Grand Slam final." 

It's only the second time Djokovic has been forced to retire during a match in Melbourne, going back to the 2009 quarter-finals facing Andy Roddick.

"I'm happy on one side to be in the final of the Australian Open. On the other hand, there is no guy I respect more than Novak," insisted Zverev. "Whenever I have struggles I could always text him, whenever I needed advice, whenever I struggled mentally. He is always someone who has helped a lot. Last year in Shanghai, when things weren't going well after the US Open, we talked for hours. 

"He has won this tournament 10 times and I have nothing but respect for him."

Djokovic, who sustained the injury during his pulsating Elite 8 triumph over Carlos Alcaraz, hasn’t given up on that elusive major No.25.

"I wish Sascha all the best. You know, he deserves his first slam. I'll be cheering for him. Hopefully he can get it here," said Djokovic.

"I've been getting injured quite a bit last few years. I don't know what exactly is the reason for that. Maybe several differently factors. But I'll keep going. I'll keep striving to win more slams. And as long as I feel that I want to put up with all of this, I'll be around."