Australian Open: Atlanta native Ben Shelton loses to No. 1 Jannik Sinner in semifinal
ByWSBTV.com News Staff
2025 Australian Open - Day 13 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 24: Ben Shelton of the United States plays a forehand against Jannik Sinner of Italy in the Men's Singles Semifinal during day 13 of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
ByWSBTV.com News Staff
MELBOURNE, Australia — Ben Shelton’s incredible run at the Australian Open came to an end in the semifinals after No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeated the Atlanta native in straights sets on Friday.
Shelton’s match started off strong and he had a chance to win the first set. But Sinner forced a tiebreaker, won the first set and defeated Shelton in the second set (6-2) and third set (6-2). He will face No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev for the title.
The Australian Open marked one of the best performances of Shelton’s career. The 22-year-old, who was born and raised in Atlanta until his family moved to Florida, previously made waves with his semifinal appearance in the 2023 U.S. Open.
Shelton comes from a family of tennis players, including his father Bryan Shelton who sat in the stands throughout the Australian Open to support his son.
Bryan Shelton was an All-American at Georgia Tech in the 1980s and is in the Yellow Jackets’ Hall of Fame. He coached the Georgia Tech women’s tennis team to a national championship in 2007 and eventually took the coaching job at the University of Florida.
In his grand slam singles career, the older Shelton advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon and the second rounds of the Australian Open, French Open and US Open.
Ben Shelton has made it to the semifinals for the U.S. Open and Australian Open, the fourth round at Wimbledon and the third round at the French Open.
0 of 14
2025 Australian Open MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Ben Shelton of United States of America celebrates winning the Quarter Final match against Lorenzo Sonego (not seen) at the Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia on January 22, 2025 (Photo by Mark Avellino/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Australian Open Tennis Ben Shelton of the U.S. reacts as he is interviewed after Gael Monfils of France retired during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) (Manish Swarup/AP)
Australian Open Tennis Ben Shelton of the U.S. falls into signboards after a fall during his quarterfinal match against Lorenzo Sonego of Italy at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Ng Han Guan/AP)
Australian Open Tennis Ben Shelton of the U.S. celebrates after defeating Lorenzo Sonego of Italy in their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) (Manish Swarup/AP)
APTOPIX Australian Open Tennis Ben Shelton of the U.S. serves to Gael Monfils of France during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) (Manish Swarup/AP)
APTOPIX Australian Open Tennis Ben Shelton, right, of the U.S. embraces Gael Monfils of France after Monfils retired during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) (Manish Swarup/AP)
APTOPIX Australian Open Tennis Ben Shelton of the U.S. reacts after defeating Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Ng Han Guan/AP)
APTOPIX Australian Open Tennis Ben Shelton of the U.S. plays a backhand return to Lorenzo Musetti of Italy during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Ng Han Guan/AP)
Australian Open Tennis Ben Shelton of the U.S. reacts after winning a point against Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Ng Han Guan/AP)
Australian Open Tennis Ben Shelton of the U.S. falls during his third round match against Lorenzo Musetti of Italy at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Ng Han Guan/AP)
Australian Open Tennis Ben Shelton of the U.S. reacts after defeating Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Ng Han Guan/AP)
Australian Open Tennis Ben Shelton of the U.S. plays a forehand return to Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (Vincent Thian/AP)