Australian Open live: Sinner set for quarter-final rematch after ‘difficult’ test

Ben Shelton defeats Casper Ruud to return to the Australian Open quarter-finals, where he will look to snap his eight-match losing run against Jannik Sinner on Wednesday.

From a set down, Shelton continued his excellent serving form in Melbourne and will bid for revenge against Shelton after losing to him in last season’s Australian Open semi-finals.

The left-handed Shelton also lost to Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals, with the World No 2 winning their last 19 sets in a row.

Shelton’s only victory over Sinner came in their very first meeting in Shanghai in 2023.

But Shelton is looking in excellent shape and finishes his victory over Ruud with a brilliant forehand winner.

Ben Shelton has upped his first serve percentage from 57% in the first set to 77% in the second and 64% in the third and it has proved the difference as he opens up a 2-1 lead in sets over Casper Ruud.

He moves one set away from that Jannik Sinner rematch.

An argument over banned “wearable” devices such as Whoop fitness trackers has erupted at the Australian Open after top players Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka were ordered to remove them before their matches.

Tennis Australia, the organisers of the Australian Open, confirmed that the wearable wrist technology is not permitted at the grand slams – although it said that the tournament is “in discussions” over allowing such devices in the future.

Wearable technology is permitted on the ATP and WTA tours. When the ATP Tour announced the approval of in-match wearable devices in 2024, a statement from then chief sporting officer Ross Hutchins said the technology was a “big step forward in our push to optimise player performance and prevent injury”.

A wild forehand shank from Casper Ruud and Ben Shelton breaks to take the second set and level the match! A roar from the American, who is looking to set up a rematch with Jannik Sinner after his defeat to the Italian in last year’s Australian Open semi-finals.

Casper Ruud has not reached the quarter-finals of a grand slam since his run to the French Open semi-finals in 2024. His previous best result at the Australian Open was the third round and he had just three top-10 wins last season.

But the 12th seed is a set up on Ben Shelton.

Iga Swiatek completes the women’s quarter-final line-up as the second seed breezes past Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis 6-0 6-3.

That sets up a mouthwatering clash with fifth seed Elena Rybakina – two absolute contenders for the title.

In fact, it’s a cracker of a quarter-final line-up in Melbourne. All six of the top seeds, plus Elina Svitolina and Iva Jovic.

A cracker coming up next on Rod Laver Arena as Ben Shelton and Casper Ruud, two in-form players, meet for the chance to take on Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals.

“Fortunately these are opponents who I have played against already. I think I know them, but of course, they worked a lot, everyone is improving, so. It’s gonna be for sure a very different match,

“I’m gonna check a little bit of the match. But most importantly is to recover. Matches can be very, very long, they can be very physical, so, depending also when you play, night or day session, you know, there’s a big difference.

“Let’s see what’s coming. But I’m very happy to be again in the quarter-finals. It’s such a special, special place for me, and of course we are trying to continue as hard as possible.”

A huge sense of relief for Jannik Sinner and his team as he exchanges a warm handshake with Luciano Darderi at the net. Remarkably, Sinner has now won all 18 of his matches against fellow Italians at tour-level. Sinner and Darderi are good friends and practiced together in the off-season.

A huge sense of relief for Jannik Sinner and his team as he exchanges a warm handshake with Luciano Darderi at the net. Remarkably, Sinner has now won all 18 of his matches against fellow Italians at tour-level. Sinner and Darderi are good friends and practiced together in the off-season.

“We are good friends off the court. It’s also that, a small difficulty to put away. I felt like in the third set I had a couple of great chances, I couldn’t use them and then I got very, very tight, so I’m very happy that I closed it in three sets.

“I’m very happy. Tried to raise my level. I started off very well in the match and also how I closed it.”

From 0-2 down in the tiebreak, Sinner has upped his levels, bringing together his serve and forehand.

Darderi is overwhelmed and the tiebreak goes Sinner’s way after seven consecutive points, as Darderi’s backhand goes long!

Relief for Sinner! Another test passed.

Darderi cracks his racket off the court as Sinner wins the forehand exchange. Then the defending champion senses his moment to close the net and move 4-2 in front!