US Open semifinalist Ben Shelton won a trio of five-setters to advance to the Wimbledon fourth round, but his London marathon was cut short by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner on Sunday at the All England Club.
Playing in his first Grand Slam as the ATP's leading man, Sinner scored a 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(9) victory in the battle of popular young stars. The Italian had to save four set points in a dramatic final set before prevailing on his second match point.
"That was a very tough match, especially the third set," said Sinner. “These matches can go very long so I’m very happy to close it out in three sets in such an amazing atmosphere."
Sinner will next face 2023 US Open finalist Daniil Medvedev as he bids to reach the Wimbledon semifinals for the second straight year. The reigning Australian Open champion beat Medvedev in this year's Melbourne final has reached the semis at three of the past four majors, the lone exception a fourth-round exit last year in New York.
A match played in good spirits saw plenty of smiles by both players and was highlighted by an inventive tweener from Sinner late in set the third set. Shelton broke just once in the match—though Sinner got back on serve early in the third—and the former NCAA champion was threatening for a second late in the frame.
On game point for 5-5 in the third set, Sinner looked in trouble when Shelton's heavy, cross-court return lasered towards the corner. But the Italian handled the deep ball with a stunning, front-facing tweener that stayed low and drew Shelton to the net. A line-clipping forehand passing shot put an exclamation point on the exchange.
"That was just luck! There’s nothing to talk," Sinner said of that moment of magic. I don’t know. Sometimes… I don’t know what to say, honestly!”
Sinner has now won three in a row against Shelton without dropping a set, after the American won their maiden meeting via a third-set tiebreak last October in Shanghai. Their four meetings have come in the space of 10 months, with the familiarity bringing a mutual respect between the pair.
Medvedev has also become a familiar opponent for Sinner, with their head-to-head series a tale of two halves: After Medvedev won their first six meetings, Sinner has won five in a row, beginning with the Beijing final last October. Sinner will now seek to repeat the result from the Australian Open title match in their second major meeting.
"Quarterfinals of a Grand Slam is always a privilege to play," Sinner said. "Hopefully it will be good to watch."
