Australian Open 2025: Men's Semifinal Preview

The 2025 Australian Open men's semifinals are set, with Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Ben Shelton all vying for the title. Here's a look at how each player can win it all.

The 2025 Australian Open men's semifinals are set, with Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Ben Shelton all vying for the title. Here's a look at how each player can win it all.

Jannik Sinner (1)

No player in tennis has enjoyed more success than Sinner over the last 12 months. In fact, in 2024, he put together one of the greatest years in the sport's history, winning the Australian Open, US Open, and ATP Finals, netting over $19 million in prize money, and taking hold of the world's No. 1 ranking.

Sinner hasn't quite reached Djokovic levels of dominance at Melbourne Park -- who has? -- but he's certainly trending in a similar direction. The 23-year-old has won 15 of his last 16 Australian Open matches, 10 of them without dropping a set. His recent hard-court record at the majors is equally impressive, having prevailed in each of his last 19 matches.

The Italian struggled with an illness and the heat in his fourth-round win over Holger Rune, but was back to his dominant best against Australian eighth seed Alex de Minaur, blowing him off the court and dropping just six games in one of the most one-sided of quarterfinals we've ever witnessed.

Alexander Zverev (2)

He may not have captured that elusive Grand Slam title, but Zverev has been banging on the door for the better part of a decade. The German world No. 2 has played in 10 major semifinals and was a runner-up at the US Open in 2020 and the French Open in 2024.

That effort at Roland Garros seven months back was the highlight of a career-best season for Zverev, in which he won two Masters 1000 titles and tallied 69 wins for the year. He arrived at Melbourne Park in scintillating form and has managed to keep it rolling, looking every bit like the second-best player in the world as he's breezed through to the last four.

Novak Djokovic (7)

Nobody in tennis history knows how to win the Australian Open better than Djokovic. A 10-time champion of the event, Djokovic has been beaten at Melbourne Park just five times in the last 15 years. He also holds an ominous 20-1 record in semifinals and finals at the Australian Open.

Despite not lifting a Grand Slam trophy in 2024, Djokovic continues to prove that at 37 years of age he can still beat anyone on tour, on any given day. Two of his most impressive victories have come against world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, first to win gold at the Olympic Games in Paris last year and then again Tuesday in an epic Australian Open quarterfinal.

Ben Shelton (21)

In many ways, Shelton will be playing with house money when he faces Sinner on Friday afternoon. All of the attention will be on his opponent, the reigning champion, and the two men contesting the other semifinal match, meaning he'll have to deal with far less pressure and expectation than when he reached this same stage at the US Open in 2023. Don't underestimate how significant that can be.

Despite a relatively disappointing output at last year's majors, Shelton is a much improved and far more experienced player from that tournament at Flushing Meadows 18 months back.

The 22-year-old American won in Houston, was a runner-up in Basel, and scored two wins over top 10 players, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, in the second half of the 2024 season, pushing his ranking back inside the top 20. He's striking the ball harder, making fewer errors, and playing with extreme confidence.

What to Read Next

Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman: The Rise of Tennis and Soccer's Power Couple
Tennis

Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman: The Rise of Tennis and Soccer's Power Couple

Explore the journey of Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman, from their relationship reveal to their mutual support at major sports events.

US Open 2025: Top Contenders, Dark Horses, and Key Matchups to Watch
Tennis

US Open 2025: Top Contenders, Dark Horses, and Key Matchups to Watch

A comprehensive preview of the 2025 US Open, highlighting top contenders, potential dark horses, and key matchups to watch in this year's Grand Slam.

US Open 2025: Comprehensive Guide to Tennis Schedule, Live Coverage, and Prize Money
Tennis

US Open 2025: Comprehensive Guide to Tennis Schedule, Live Coverage, and Prize Money

Discover everything about the US Open 2025, including the schedule, how to watch on ESPN, and the record-breaking prize money.

US Open 2025: Comprehensive Guide to the Grand Slam Tennis Extravaganza
Tennis

US Open 2025: Comprehensive Guide to the Grand Slam Tennis Extravaganza

Discover everything about the US Open 2025, from the record-breaking prize money to the full ESPN coverage schedule and how to watch live.

US Open 2025: Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek Lead the Charge in Tennis Grand Slam Showdown
Tennis

US Open 2025: Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek Lead the Charge in Tennis Grand Slam Showdown

Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek are the top favorites at the US Open 2025, with both aiming to secure their second consecutive titles in this prestigious Grand Slam event.

US Open 2025: Top Contenders and Dark Horses in Tennis' Grand Finale
Tennis

US Open 2025: Top Contenders and Dark Horses in Tennis' Grand Finale

A comprehensive look at the top contenders and potential dark horses for the US Open 2025, featuring insights on Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and more.

US Open 2025: Ultimate Guide to Tennis Schedule, Live Coverage, and Prize Money
Tennis

US Open 2025: Ultimate Guide to Tennis Schedule, Live Coverage, and Prize Money

Get the complete guide to the 2025 US Open, including schedule, live coverage on ESPN, and record-breaking prize money.

Novak Djokovic Shines at Yankee Stadium: A Tennis Legend’s Grand Night on the Baseball Mound
Tennis

Novak Djokovic Shines at Yankee Stadium: A Tennis Legend’s Grand Night on the Baseball Mound

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic throws the ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium, shares moments with Yankees stars, and gears up for the US Open.

US Open Tennis Champions: A Comprehensive History of Singles Winners
Tennis

US Open Tennis Champions: A Comprehensive History of Singles Winners

Explore the complete history of US Open singles champions, including the latest winners Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner. Discover the legends who have dominated this prestigious tournament.

Historic All-American Showdown: Fritz vs. Shelton in ATP Masters 1000 Semifinal
Tennis

Historic All-American Showdown: Fritz vs. Shelton in ATP Masters 1000 Semifinal

Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton set up a historic all-American semifinal at the ATP Masters 1000 in Toronto, marking the first in 15 years.

Shelton Triumphs Over Fritz to Face Khachanov in National Bank Open Final
Tennis

Shelton Triumphs Over Fritz to Face Khachanov in National Bank Open Final

Ben Shelton defeats Taylor Fritz in a thrilling semifinal, setting up a final clash with Karen Khachanov at the National Bank Open.

Victoria Mboko's Thrilling Comeback to Face Naomi Osaka in National Bank Open Final
Tennis

Victoria Mboko's Thrilling Comeback to Face Naomi Osaka in National Bank Open Final

Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko stages a remarkable comeback to reach the National Bank Open final, setting up a clash with Naomi Osaka.

Power Outage Halts Cincinnati Open: Key Matches Delayed and Resumed
Tennis

Power Outage Halts Cincinnati Open: Key Matches Delayed and Resumed

A sudden power outage caused a significant delay at the Cincinnati Open, affecting key matches including Taylor Fritz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Cameron Norrie's Cincinnati Open Journey Ends in Second Round Defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut
Tennis

Cameron Norrie's Cincinnati Open Journey Ends in Second Round Defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut

Cameron Norrie exits the Cincinnati Open after a straight-sets loss to Roberto Bautista Agut, impacting his US Open preparations.

Emma Raducanu Dominates Cincinnati Open with Roig's Strategic Influence
Tennis

Emma Raducanu Dominates Cincinnati Open with Roig's Strategic Influence

Emma Raducanu advances to the Cincinnati Open third round with a decisive victory, showcasing her strengthened gameplay under new coach Francis Roig.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.