Jannik Sinner is now the first Italian man to make it to back-to-back Australian Open finals. The defending champion overcame cramps in the third set of the semi-finals against the American Ben Shelton to win 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 on Friday.
Jannik Sinner thus earned his chance to chase his third Grand Slam title, when he faces off against No 2 Alexander Zverev on Sunday.
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The match could have had a different outcome, if Shelton had managed to hold his nerve in the first set. The World No. 1 Sinner fell behind in the opening set and twice was a point from losing it when Shelton served at 6-5. But Jannik Sinner broke there, then dominated the ensuing tiebreaker, and broke again to begin the second set.
“It was a very tough first set but very crucial,” Jannik Sinner said after winning the Australian Open semi-final. “I felt he was not serving at his best today. The percentage was not where he would have wanted it at. I think we both returned better than we served. First sets are always very important. It gives you a lot of confidence and there was a lot of tension for both of us. I am very happy with how I handled the situation today.”
The 23-year-old from Italy also had to overcome cramps in the third set. He clutched at his left hamstring, and then his right thigh, in the third set. He was treated by a trainer, who massaged both of Sinner’s legs during changeovers.
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Sinner won his first major title at Melbourne Park a year ago, then grabbed No. 2 at the U.S. Open in September.
He’ll try to add to that total when he faces No. 2 Alexander Zverev on Sunday for the championship.
Zverev advanced when Novak Djokovic quit after one set of their semifinal Friday because of a leg injury.
Jannik Sinner plays a backhand to Ben Shelton during their semi-final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne. (AP Photo) 
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