Jannik Sinner shrugged off concerns about a sore right elbow as he surged into the Wimbledon semi-finals with a straight-sets win over American powerhouse Ben Shelton.
Sinner had fallen awkwardly on his right elbow during Monday’s fourth-round meeting with Grigor Dimitrov. He practised gingerly on Tuesday, spending only 20 or 30 minutes hitting indoors.
But when called to No 1 court on Wednesday, Sinner was ready. Yes, he was wearing a white sleeve on his suspect elbow, but he wasted no time in finding his characteristically punchy rhythm from the back of the court.
With Shelton also pummelling the ball as if it had personally insulted him, the pace of play was relentless. We could have been watching a computer game, and Sinner was so flawlessly good that you wondered if he – rather than the line judges – had been powered by AI.
At the end of the first set, Sinner finished with the almost laughably good statistics of 15 winners and one – yes, one! – unforced error. In the second, he broke the Shelton serve, which touched an equally absurd high point of 147mph on the speed gun.
To get that break – which was only the fifth that Shelton had conceded in as many rounds at this event – Sinner had to deal with a 141mph missile that was heading right for his face. He somehow managed to get out of the way, blast it back with a sort of overhead swat, and then finish off the rally with a thumping backhand up the line.
There was one rare moment in set three when Sinner appeared discomfited. Caught out of position, he attempted a tweener and only succeeded in whacking the ball into his own leg. But he dug his way out of that game, and soon had Shelton on the ropes again, concluding his 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory with another penetrating service return that his opponent couldn’t handle.
Surprisingly, no Italian of either sex has ever lifted a Wimbledon singles title. But if he keeps going like this, Sinner will break that duck at some stage, whether it is this summer or in years to come.
05:59 PM BST
Jannik Sinner got the job done
There were a lot of question marks as to whether Jannik Sinner would even be able to play this match against Ben Shelton given the elbow injury that required an MRI yesterday morning.
When asked about the injury, Sinner said: “When you are in a match with a lot of tension you try not to think about it. It has improved a lot from yesterday to today. But I’m looking forward to it, this is no excuse.”
However he shrugged that off, took his chances at the right times and did not even come close to dropping a set against the American.
05:54 PM BST
Sinner 7-6 (2), 6-4, 5-4 Shelton*
After a few quick rallies, punctuated by long returns from both players, Shelton takes a 30-15 lead.
But Sinner will not let the game go away from him and makes it 30-30.
Shelton hits a forehand into the net and Sinner has match point.
Shelton saves the point with a serve out wide and then a backhand to the opposite side of the court.
But another unforced error only hands Sinner another with the advantage, only for Shelton to save it with a massive 140mph ace.
Shelton double faults, and Sinner has a third match point, and that one he takes with Shelton firing long. Game, set, match Sinner.
05:46 PM BST
Sinner* 7-6 (2), 6-4, 5-4 Shelton
Sinner is caught on the baseline to the delight of the crowd in court one, he tries to hit the ball between his legs and ends up hitting it onto his leg, 0-15.
Shelton has a chance at 0-30, but a big serve from Sinner is returned long by the American, and the next one is played into the net 30-30.
Shelton finds the net for a third time, 40-30, and seals the game with a forehand down the line.
05:42 PM BST
Sinner 7-6 (2), 6-4, 4-4 Shelton*
This has been a better game from Shelton, he follows up an explosive baseline rally with a deft drop shot to move to 40-0.
But a slow slice just allows Sinner to get into position and he gets on the scoreboard 40-15.
Shelton seals the game with an ace.
05:38 PM BST
Sinner* 7-6 (2), 6-4, 4-3 Shelton
Sinner’s service games have been almost impeccable this set, but as a ball strays into the tramlines, the American goes ahead at 0-15.
Where Shelton is expressive, Sinner is almost completely silent, moving to a 30-15 lead with a silent fist pump of celebration.
Sinner holds to 15.
05:34 PM BST
Sinner 7-6 (2), 6-4, 3-3 Shelton*
Another slip from Shelton and he is left squatting on the floor, Sinner smashes it and he just can’t move in time to cut it off. 0-15.
But it’s soon level as Shelton fires down an ace, and celebrates with a fist-pump “yeah”.
Now it’s Sinner’s turn to slip on the grass, and Shelton takes the lead at 30-15, and another ace to 40-15 - that one was over 140mph.
Shelton holds with a yell of “come on”.
05:30 PM BST
Sinner* 7-6 (2), 6-4, 3-2 Shelton
Sinner fires a backhand into the net, and that just allows Shelton a small sniff in this game at 30-15.
But a slip from Shelton, or a miss-step allows Sinner to move to 40-15, but the Italian finds the net again, 40-30.
Shelton misses a sliced backhand, and that is Sinner’s lead extended, over to the American.
05:26 PM BST
Sinner 7-6 (2), 6-4, 2-2 Shelton*
Shelton tries a clever ‘tweener’ but it goes straight into the net, and Sinner levels at 15-15.
With a serve and volley combination, Shelton moves ahead at 40-15, and holds to 30.
05:23 PM BST
Sinner* 7-6 (2), 6-4, 2-1 Shelton
Sinner continues to show impressive form. Another service game to love, going 40-0 up with an ace before Shelton fails to get his return between the tramlines.
05:22 PM BST
Sinner 7-6 (2), 6-4, 1-1 Shelton*
Shelton levels the set up at 1-1.
05:20 PM BST
Sinner* 7-6 (2), 6-4, 1-0 Shelton
Sinner looking in total control now. A hold of serve only, yes, but he only lost a point in it and is starting to look imperious.
05:17 PM BST
‘What a break’
What a break of serve that is. I was just sitting here wondering if I could have faced that 141mph serve from Shelton – on the second point – without it hitting me between the eyes and sending me to hospital. Sinner didn’t just get his head out of the way but came up with a powerful return and won the point.
05:15 PM BST
Sinner 7-6 (2), 6-4 Shelton*
Sinner finds a forehand winner after a tremendous rally to make it 30-30. Shelton being made to work here after going 30-0 up in the game. Shelton sends a backhand long and Sinner has another break point.
Shelton crashes his first serve into the net.... the second starts a rally but it’s another backhand that flies long from Shelton and Sinner breaks and is two sets to love up!
05:10 PM BST
Sinner* 7-6 (2), 5-4 Shelton
Absolutely nothing wrong with Sinner’s serve this game, he wins it to love to go within a game of the second set.
The physio has been called to the court for Ben Shelton, looking at his left ankle’s taping.
05:07 PM BST
Sinner 7-6 (2), 4-4 Shelton*
A double fault from Sinner to kick things off. Not ideal, but then Sinner sends a second-serve return very long and wide.
For the first time this set, Shelton loses a point after getting his first serve in and it’s a break point to the Italian... which Shelton saves with a thumping forehand winner!
Two fine serves in a row that Sinner cannot deal with and it’s 4-4 and Shelton holds serve.
Very noticeable that in that last game, the first when Sinner has faced break points, he has gone to the Shelton backhand when he was under pressure. For all Shelton’s exciting potential, the huge quality gap between his forehand and backhand wings is his biggest problem.
05:01 PM BST
Sinner* 7-6 (2), 4-3 Shelton
Sinner hits a terrible backhand to give Shelton a cheap point and shakes his arm straight afterwards.
He doesn’t look right.
He gathers himself to whip a series of forehands at Shelton, whose defence is working at full tilt. He wins the point but is walking gingerly.
Shelton is trying to extend the rallies - and rightly so. After shanking another forehand Sinner shakes his arm again. He seemed to trying to avoid hitting the backhand there. At 30-all Shelton nets and cries “Nooo!”
He knows that was a chance.
But Sinner nets a backhand after another long rally and holds his arm again. Deuce.
But Shelton slices a backhand long. Advantage a seemingly injury-affected Sinner.
The Italian was utterly dominant until that apparent flare-up occurred and now he is looking fallible again.
He goes long with another backhand, before Shelton nets to hand Sinner another cheap advantage.
The American then goes long, and Sinner holds. But will his elbow hold?
04:53 PM BST
Sinner 7-6 (2), 3-3 Shelton*
What cross-court pass that is from Sinner. Shelton looks to have pounded down a winner but Sinnr sends it back with interest.
Holds on! Sinner is holding his elbow. The Italian missed the Shelton exorcet serve, which hit the frame of his racket, and the aftershock leaves Sinner shaking his hand and holding the elbow he hurt two days ago.
This could be quite a develpment. Is Sinner hurt?
Shelton hods to 15 and all eyes are on Sinner’s injured elbow.
04:49 PM BST
Sinner* 7-6 (2), 3-2 Shelton
Shelton gets back the Sinner serve bu the man from the Dolomites is at the net to dispatch a fantastic volley.
A brilliant rally breaks out with Shelton attempting a drop shot from the baseline. Sinner is on to it and sends Shelton scampering off court with his angled shot.
Another drop shot attempt by Shelton who might be overthinking his game slightly. That’s what Sinner can do to you.
Shelton returns long and Sinner holds serve again.
04:45 PM BST
Sinner 7-6 (2), 2-2 Shelton*
Delightful feel drop-shot by Shelton, killing the ball stone dead at the net for 15-love.
Sinner can’t get the next serve back and then goes well wide with a backhand on the run.
Another ace and that’s an impressively efficient hold to love.
04:43 PM BST
Sinner *7-6 (2), 2-1 Shelton
Shelton will be frustrated he didn’t capitalise on his break points in the last game because they don’t come along too often.
Apart from one long rally which Sinner wins with some immaculate tennis (he has won 17 rallies to Shelton’s six) Shelton has no answer to the Italian’s serve.
04:39 PM BST
Sinner 7-6 (2), 1-1 Shelton*
Shelton starts off with an ace but then nets with another attempt at the backhand slice that worked so well in the last game.
The American plays three lovely approach shots, changing things up with some sliced shots anda cross-court topsin forehand, but then he gets too ipetuous and goes long with his attempted winner.
Undeterred he sends Sinner sprawling with a lovely backhand into the corner.
And he finishes with another ace. Well played.
Dad Bryan imparts some advice while Sinner changes his racket: “Stop hitting it to the backhand all the time. Hit it to his forehand too!”
04:35 PM BST
Sinner* 7-6 (2), 1-0 Shelton
All of a sudden Sinner drops two points on serve, with a couple of rare unforced errors.
A delightful bit of variation from Shelton who hits a backhand slice that only just clears the net and the Italian puts it in the net.
Two break points. Sinner saves the first with a big serve and follow-up forehand drive.
Sheton gets his return in on Sinner’s fastest serve of the match so far but the Italian hares into the net to put away the volley, Goran Ivanisovic-style.
An ace and an unreturnable serve gets Sinner out of trouble.
04:29 PM BST
Sinner 7-6 (7-2) Shelton
Shelton is so close to hitting a winner but misses by a fraction and now he’s up against it. 2-5.
The American goes for a big approach shot, which is also narrowly long and he now faces four set points.
Shelton mishits a forehand return from Sinner and that is a very impressive set of tennis from Jannik Sinner.
Sinner wins the first set.
I think we can say that Jannik Sinner is not struggling too much with his sore elbow. (The one he fell on in his previous match against Dimitrov and now wears a sleeve on.)
He’s recorded insane statistics in that set: 15 winners and one – one! – unforced error. Two points dropped on serve in the whole set.
04:26 PM BST
Sinner 6-6 (4-2) Shelton
A rare shank from Sinner as Shelton puts lashings of heavy spin on that viciously kicking second serve.
Brilliant from Shelton, He gets the Sinner serve back and then forces hm to the net with a drop-shot. Sinner gets there but can only spoon it back to the American to feed the ball into the open court.
Sinner takes the next point but Shelton made him work for it as he had to get down on his right knee o send a winner down the line. It’s 2-2 Shelton with the mini-break.
Shelton hangs in the next point but Sinner dominates the point and Shelton gets out of position. He can only net.
He then double-faults. He’s lost two service points in a row handing the initiative back to Sinner. 3-3.
Shelton does brilliantly to stay in the point but Sinner comes up with a meaty winner that is too good for Shelton.
04:20 PM BST
Sinner* 6-6 Shelton
Sinner powers down an ace and Shelton fails to return the Italian’s subsequent second serve.
Shelton tries a winner on the run but nets and not for the first time finds himself 40-love behind.
Game. Sinner sends him left and right and then eases a forehand into the open court. We have a tie-breaker.
04:18 PM BST
Sinner 5-6 Shelton*
The AI line-caller keeps has called ‘out’ of it’s own accord three times now which is a bit of a worry.
Shelton responds by crashing down a 141mph and then a 144 mph serve.
Sinner races to the net t give Shelton something more to think about, putting away a dexterous volley.
The American then melts another ace and screams with delight.
04:14 PM BST
Sinner* 5-5 Shelton
Another love game from the Italian.
Sinner has played 21 points during his service game so far and lost only one of them.
That game had two aces a drop shot and a passing shot down the line on to the baseline. Imeperious.
04:10 PM BST
Sinner 4-5 Shelton*
Serve and volley from Shelton.
He has been watching old recordings of his father Bryan, who reached the round of 16 in 1994 with a serve-volley game.
His father has said his son needs to sometimes rein his attacking instincts in, but he is certainly exciting to watch.
He throws in two more double-faults, attempting to hit his second serves as hard as his first, but fortune favours the brace as Sinner can’t return another smouldering second serve. Shelton wins the game to 30.
04:06 PM BST
Sinner* 4-4 Shelton
More big serves for Sinner who is making his service games a lot shorter than Shelton.
It’s another love game and the Sinner elbow is holding up OK. He has so far lost only one point on serve!
04:03 PM BST
Sinner 3-4 Shelton*
A big serve and an unforced error by Sinner is followed by a lovely rally, in which Sinner and Shelton exchange patter-cake volleys at the net and the the American decides to go for a ‘tweener (a shot between the legs) to entertain the masses. He wins some more fans but loses the point. 15-30.
Another exciting rally concludes with Sinner racing to the net and Shelton attempting a lob. It has to be high to beat Sinner. It is, but it falls just out.
This has been a fantastic game and this time it’s Shelton at the net, volleying and smashing his way toi 40-30.
But Sinner isn’t done. With Shelton again volleying at the net Sinner passes him with a glorious backhand down the line.
What are we in for next? An ace! That’s what.
Another rally breaks out with Shelton racing to the net and as Sinner tries a drop shot. Shelton replies with one of his own. Sinner gets there but can;t return the ball to the other side.
Wow! The crowd are getting their money’s worth.
“Let’s have a 140,” came the call from the stands in that last game. Shelton had just smacked a 139mph ace, and he responded with a 147mph bullet which – sadly – was just a foot or so long. Certainly a better standard of crowd-shout than the now thankfully defunct “Come on Tim!”
03:57 PM BST
Sinner* 3-3 Shelton
Two aces, an unreturnable serve and a delicate drop shot earn Sinner a quite perfect love-game.
03:54 PM BST
Sinner 2-3 Shelton*
Shelton goes long but makes up for losing the first point with that angled slow serve of his that sends his opponent out wide. Sinner can’t get it back.
He blots his copybook with a double-fault but responds to that setback with a 139mph ace and a 140mph serve Sinner can’t control.
And that’s another ace, much to the delight of Shelton’s girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, the US football player looking on from the player’s box.
03:50 PM BST
Sinner* 2-2 Shelton
Shelton tests Sinner’s elbow with a lob the Italian dispatches with a disdainful smash.
The American is struggling to return the Sinner serve just now. He has yet to score a point when receiving.
Ah, commentator’s curse. Sinner sends a forehand long to prove he’s human for 40-15 but after hitting a fgood return Shelton finds the tramlines with an ambitious forehand attempt down the line.
03:45 PM BST
Sinner 1-2 Shelton*
Sinner is hitting the ball to left-hander Shelton’s backhand a lot with the American running around it to use his forehand.
He also shows some guile to leave Sinner flat-footed with a gentle forehand down the line for 30-15.
Sinner comes very close to a backhand winner down the line but misses by about an inch.
And a massive serve seals the hold.
03:43 PM BST
Sinner* 1-1 Shelton
The big question is whether Sinner’s elbow holds out.
He starts off with three good serves and two powerful backhands across court that pin Shelton back behind the baseline.
Another serve down the T is netted by Shelton and it’s a comfortable hold. Seemingly anyway (Sinner tends to give nothing away when hurt).
03:39 PM BST
Sinner 0-1 Shelton*
Sinner wins the first point and dominates the second, sending Shelton scampering with a thunderous beforehand but the American somehow gets it back, with a flicked backhand that just clears the net and falls right at the feet of the onrushing Sinner.
Sinner goes 15-30 up with a fantastic return but Shelton gets himself out of troubles with three big serves to hold.
03:29 PM BST
Can Shelton upset Sinner?
Apart from his injury worries Sinner also needs to get past a serious opponent in the form of Ben Shelton, the powerful American who has been going from strength to strength this tournament.
Shelton is a young, exciting player with an aggressive mindset who has been winning the fans over in their droves in the last two years.
The 22-year-old has dropped only one set so far at the All England Club and certainly has the game to upset Sinner, whose best result at this Championship is a place in the semi-final in 2023.
That said Sinner has won all of his matches so far in straight sets, not counting the retirement of Dimitrov in the last round. He has also beaten Shelton in their last five meetings, after losing their first, so, if fit, the Italian has the wherewithal to cope with the man from Atlanta, Georgia. But that is a big if.
03:14 PM BST
Can Sinner shake off elbow knock?
Jannik Sinner, the men’s world No 1, faces 10th-seed Ben Shelton on Court No 1 this afternoon with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.
The Italian’s preparations for his quarter-final meeting, however, have been far from serene having picked up an injury during his fourth-round victory over Grigor Dimitrov on Monday evening.
The 23-year-old hurt his elbow after slipping on the baseline in the first game of his match with Dimitrov, but reached the last eight of the Wimbledon Championships despite trailing 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 against the Bulgarian 19th seed, who retired after suffering a pectoral injury.
Sinner, who himself needed a medical time-out during the second set, revealed afterwards he would need an MRI scan on his right elbow on Tuesday. He underwent the scan yesterday and a scheduled practice session at 4pm on Wimbledon’s Aorangi Park was subsequently cancelled.
There was no official update from Sinner’s camp on Tuesday but his coach Darren Cahill reportedly told ESPN the Italian had a hit indoors for 20 to 30 minutes.
“It was quite an unfortunate fall,” he said on Monday night after his match. “I checked the videos a little bit, and it didn’t seem a tough one, but I still felt it quite a lot, especially on serve and forehand.
“I could feel it. So let’s see. Tomorrow we are going to check to see how it is, and then we see. Tomorrow we are going to check with MRI to see if there’s something serious, and then we’ll try to adjust it.”
Sinner, a three-time grand slam tournament champion, was spotted on the practice courts today.