Jannik Sinner was the picture of class and calm as he became the first Italian to reach the quarter-final of Wimbledon’s men’s singles three times.
It was a tough match, especially the third set. I had to keep saving set points. These matches can go long but I was very happy to close it in three Jannik Sinner
The cool world No.1 completed his hat-trick in successive years as he overcame American 14th seed Ben Shelton 6-2 6-4 7-6(9) in two hours and 8-minutes on No.1 Court.
But he revealed he was “very happy to close it in three” against the big-serving Shelton who had emulated his watching dad and coach Bryan in reaching the last 16, 30 years earlier,
Sinner said: “It was a tough match, especially the third set. I had to keep saving set points. These matches can go long but I was very happy to close it in three.”
And he paid tribute to his team.
The 22-year-old said: “We work for these moments to make sure I can play the best I can here.”
And, breaking into a wry smile, he underlined how important it was to entertain the crowd.
Sinner said: “We have a lot of fun when we work. All players also want to put on a show for the fans and if the match is very good then everyone enjoys it. We have to smile and be excited on the court, that’s the most important thing.”
Those inside under the roof on a wet day clearly enjoyed it when Sinner performed a ‘tweener’ in the tight third set.
The modest Sinner said: “That was just luck. There’s nothing to say about that. I don’t know, sometimes… I don’t know what to say, honestly.
“It’s always an honour to play on this court so I’ll see you in the next round.”
He faced a battle-hardened Shelton who had come through three five-setters to take on the Italian; a fourth on the trot had never been done at a Slam.
Jannik Sinner executes a ‘tweener’
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
But Sinner appeared unfazed by anything his left-handed opponent could do in the opening two sets The top seed was in superb form. His ball striking exemplary, especially off the forehand side in the opening set, as was his serving.
Shelton struggled to get even a point off his opponent’s serve.
And the 21-year-old American’s return was eaten up by the hungry tournament favourite who broke him twice in the fifth and seventh games to go one up, having ended up conceding just one point on serve.
Sinner was moving smoothly, clearly getting more and more used to the natural surface following his recent first grass tournament triumph at Halle.
The red-haired Sinner delighted fans with orange wigs and another six spelling out ‘Jannik’ between them on their T-shirts.
The 2024 Australian champion was imperious as he secured an early break in the second set world-ranked 14 Shelton hung in on his serve but Sinner maintained form to seal a two-sets advantage after just 65 minutes.
A supporter wearing an Italian football shirt was clearly looking for a silver lining for his country following the Azzuri’s early exit from the 2024 Euros in Germany.
But, suddenly, the fan’s smile was replaced by a worried frown as Shelton secured his first break point in the second game of the third set. And the American – who referred to his dad as “big dog” after making it through to the encounter – took it for a 2-0 lead when the Italian dumped a forehand return into the net. And he consolidated in the next game.
Sinner temporarily put the brakes on his opponent by halving his deficit. But Shelton maintained his momentum and a 138mph ace followed by a service winner extended his advantage in the set to 4-1.
But Sinner got his grip back and broke back on route to level the set at 4-4, maintaining his composure against a hard-hitting, swift-moving opponent.
Shelton forced Sinner to save the set and the 22-year-old certainly did. The Italian conjured a magical ‘tweener’ followed by a thumping cross court forehand winner to make it 5-5 offering that wry smile across his otherwise deadpan face.
Shelton got his nose in front after the next game and forced a set point on the Sinner serve. One the Italian saved as the set went to a tie-break.
The American forced three set point points in it and saved one match point before Sinner sealed it after a second.
Jannik Sinner consoles Ben Shelton at the net
