The Italian will be tough to stop, given he extended his winning streak to 20 matches – all on hard courts – and overcame Zverev despite a dodgy hip in a three-hour, rain-affected marathon in Cincinnati last August.
The world No.2 – a winner earlier on Friday when 10-time champion Novak Djokovic retired due to his existing hamstring injury – holds a winning record against Sinner overall, though, 4-2.
“We had some very tough matches in the past,” said Sinner of Zverev.
“Everything can happen. He’s an incredible player, looking for his first major. There’s going to be again a lot of tension but I’m happy to (put) myself in this position.”
Sinner won his previous four matches against Shelton, the demonstrative left-hander who once again donned a sleeveless shirt and bandana.
The American made his breakthrough by reaching the quarterfinals at AO 2023 and has backed it up at Grand Slams thereafter, notably with a semifinal berth at both the US Open and now at Melbourne Park.
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