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And Shelton serves out to 15 for his breaker.
Sonego survives a break point to hold for 6-5 in the fourth, guaranteeing himself a tiebreak. This is a proper physical tussle.
But first, we’ve the end of Ben Shelton (21) 6-4 7-5 4-6 5-5 Lorenzo Sonego. Good!
Preamble
G’day and welcome to the Australian Open 2025 – day 11, night session!
There’s something cartoonish about today’s tussle: the big, powerful defending champ takes on the little, scurrying local hero. Except in the cartoon version, it’s the smaller man who wins, whereas reality is somewhat different.
Jannik Sinner and Alex de Minaur have played each other nine times, and Sinner has won on each occasion. He hits it harder and more accurately; he serves better, returns better and volleys better. There’s no shame in that – he does almost all of those things better than almost everyone else in the world – but consequently, it’s not easy to find De Minaur a route to victory.
And yet he’s never had a better chance. Sinner was ill through his last match, so might not be fully recovered; De Minaur is fitter than in some time; the crowd are on his side; the cooler night is better for his indefatigable chasing; and what if the cartoon is not a series but a film?
OK, we’re reaching. But regardless of who wins and how, this should be a terrific contest. Let’s go!
Play: 7.30pm local, 8.30pm GMT
