The win sets up a showdown with Alexander Zverev of Germany in Sunday’s final. Earlier Friday, Zverev won the first set of his semifinal when Novak Djokovic missed a putaway volley in a tiebreak. Djokovic retired on the spot, unable to overcome the muscle tear he suffered in his quarterfinal win over Carlos Alcaraz Tuesday night.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner overcame an early test against American Ben Shelton to reach his second straight Australian Open final, winning 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2.

Jannik Sinner is a win away from the Australian Open title defense! The two-time Major champion faced the American Ben Shelton in the semi-final and scored a solid 7-6, 6-2, 6-2 triumph in two hours and 36 minutes.