By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday July 7, 2024
Jannik Sinner defeated Ben Shelton to become the first Italian man to reach three Wimbledon quarterfinals.
Photo Source: Rob Newell/Camera Sport
In 2024 Jannik Sinner has become an immovable force at the top of the sport, claiming his maiden major title in Australia, and reeling off another three titles in the first half of the season.
At Wimbledon, where he reached the semifinals last year, the 22-year-old Italian’s rise continues unabated.
Sinner marched past high-flying American Ben Shelton in No.1 Court on Sunday, becoming the first Italian man to reach three Wimbledon quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(9) victory.
“It was a very tough match for me,” Sinner said, expressing relief that he made it through the third-set, which featured four set points for Shelton. “Especially the third set. The tiebreak we saw, and I had to save one set point also at 5-6, these kinds of matches they can go very long, I’m very happy to close it in three.”
The World No.1, who has reached the last eight at Wimbledon on three successive occasions, will face either Daniil Medvedev or Grigor Dimitrov for a spot in the semifinals. After that, a tenth installment of the most captivating rivalry in men’s tennis at the moment likely waits.
Carlos Alcaraz, the No.3 seed and defending champ, is the other immovable force in the top half of the draw, but something will have to give before the final.
Alcaraz, who owns a 5-4 record against Sinner, including a victory over the Italian in the semifinals at Roland-Garros last month, defeat Ugo Humbert in four sets on Sunday, 6-3 6-4 1-6 7-5, to improve to 15-2 lifetime at the Championships.
The Spaniard has been tested in his last two rounds, but has demonstrated his ability to play peak tennis in the biggest moments in wins over American Frances Tiafoe (from two sets down) and Humbert, who reeled Alcaraz in after dropping the first two sets and was the better player for many stretches of Sunday’s Centre Court encounter.
Sinner’s route to the quarterfinals has been less complicated, but not without its challenges. He drew the short straw before the tournament, and was slated to face 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini – one of the best grass-court players in the game – in the second round. He handled that test with aplomb, delivering a steady 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 2-6, 7-6(4) victory over his compatriot.
Faced with another stern test on Sunday, Sinner took advantage of the fact that Shelton’s route to the round of 16 had been fraught with peril. Shelton, who became the 6th player in the Open Era to win 3 consecutive five-set matches in the opening 3 rounds at Wimbledon with wins over Mattia Bellucci, Lloyd Harris and Denis Shapovalov, was hoping to become the youngest American to reach the quarterfinals since Andy Roddick in 2003.
But he’ll have to wait, as Sinner closed the door on the 21-year-old in three tight sets. It was a spectacular effort from the former NCAA champion in his second Wimbledon main draw appearance, but even better from Sinner, who improves to a remarkable 42-3 on the season, and 13-3 at Wimbledon.
Shelton had his chances to extend the match, but missed a forehand return with Sinner serving at 5-6, 30-40 in the third set, then couldn’t convert his three set points in the ensuing tiebreak.
The Italian has now won each of his last eight tiebreaks, dating back to the start of his run to the Halle title. He extends his current winning streak to nine matches.