Home / Sports / Shelton's Aussie Open Run Ends, Sinner Dominates
Shelton's Aussie Open Run Ends, Sinner Dominates
29 Jan
Summary
- Ben Shelton lost to Jannik Sinner in straight sets in Australian Open quarterfinals.
- Sinner has won nine consecutive matches and 22 consecutive sets against Shelton.
- Shelton drops to World No. 9 after losing 400 points from last year's semifinal.
Ben Shelton's quest for a Grand Slam title at the 2026 Australian Open concluded in the quarterfinals with a straight-sets defeat to World No. 2 Jannik Sinner. Sinner's commanding performance marked his ninth consecutive win and 22nd straight set against Shelton, underscoring a significant on-court disparity.
Despite reaching the quarterfinals, Shelton will lose 400 ranking points, causing him to drop from World No. 7 to No. 9. This also relinquishes his status as the top-ranked American player. Shelton's focus now shifts to upcoming tournaments, including the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells and the Miami Open in March, where he aims to regain lost points and continue his development.
Shelton acknowledged his improvement over the past year, noting a more mature game and increased net presence. However, he conceded that Sinner's consistent rhythm proved too challenging to disrupt. Looking ahead, Shelton aims to challenge the top players and solidify his position in the rankings throughout the 2026 season.
