Ben Shelton secured his place in the 2025 Australian Open semifinals after defeating Lorenzo Sonego in the quarterfinals.
The 22-year-old Atlanta native triumphed over Sonego in a thrilling 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4) match on January 25, 2025, in Melbourne. Shelton expressed his relief after the match, saying, “I feel relieved right now. Shoutout to Lorenzo Sonego because that was some ridiculous tennis. I’m just really happy to be through, to get my first win at Rod Laver Arena. Thanks everybody for coming out, it was one of my favourite matches of my career.”
Shelton previously reached the semifinals at the 2023 US Open, where he lost to the eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
He will now face either world number one Jannik Sinner or Alex de Minaur in the Australian Open semifinals on January 24, 2025. Talking about the upcoming clash, he said with a smile, “If it’s the home favourite, Alex de Minaur, you guys can boo me, throw stuff at my head. I understand. If it’s the No. 1 in the world, it’ll probably be the same, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Shelton has won two minor ATP titles, the 2023 Japan Open and the 2024 US Men’s Clay Court Championships, and his latest victory brings him closer to his first-ever Grand Slam title.
