Australian Open 2025 Day 11 Quarter Final Recap - Perfect Tennis

Just four players remain at the 2025 Australian Open, as the top half of the draw completed their quarter-final matches on Wednesday.

Ben Shelton was the first to book his spot in Friday’s semi-final, coming through Lorenzo Sonego in four sets 6-4 7-5 4-6 7-6(4). It could have been a straight-set win for the American, but in the end, he did well to avert it going five.

Jannik Sinner then made mince meat of Alex de Minaur, winning 6-3 6-2 6-1 in a one-sided match on Rod Laver Arena that only gave fans 1 hour and 48 minutes of Sinner domination.

Day Eleven 2025 Australian Open Quarter Final Results

Winner
Loser
Scoreline

Jannik Sinner (1)
Alex de Minaur (8)
6-3 6-2 6-1

Ben Shelton (21)
Lorenzo Sonego
6-4 7-5 4-6 7-6(4)

Shelton Sinks Sonego

Ben Shelton is through to his second Grand Slam semi-final after a 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) victory over Lorenzo Sonego.

Unlike in New York, where there is typically a lot of fanfare about American participation, Shelton has quietly progressed through the draw, playing solid tennis while remaining under the radar.

The 21st seed has a deadly serve + 1 forehand combo, and both players made aggressive shots throughout the match.

Sonego, too, can more than hold his own in that department, so it was a fun match to watch, with both guys coming forward to try and finish points.

Shelton, in particular, is no stranger to the net, winning 38 of 49 points up there. Yet the Italian was up there more often, winning 74% (67/90) of his net points, including the shot of the tournament when he saved a break point with a stunning diving drop volley that spun back onto his side of the net.

Yes, it was somewhat scrappy, and I don’t think Sonego played his best (he’s not used to playing big matches at Slams), but overall, Shelton showed more composure and patience over the four sets, especially on the bigger points. He played steady when needed, and Sonego can blow hot and cold, which made the difference.

I feel relieved right now, shoutout to Lorenzo Sonego because that was some ridiculous tennis. I’m just really happy to be through, to get my first win on Rod Laver Arena. Thanks everybody for coming out, it was one of my favourite matches of my career. If it’s the home favourite Alex de Minaur [in the semi-finals], you guys can boo me, throw stuff at my head.. I understand. If it’s the No. 1 in the world [Jannik Sinner], it’ll probably be the same, so I’m looking forward to it. I know I got a few in the crowd who are going to be pulling for me too. Shelton on his win.

Match Stats

Ben Shelton
Lorenzo Sonego

Aces
9
3

Double Faults
4
1

1st Serve Percentage
71% (100/141)
66% (101/153)

1st Serve Points Won
75% (75/100)
71% (72/101)

2nd Serve Points Won
59% (24/41)
52% (27/52)

Break Points Saved
75% (6/8)
73% (8/11)

Average 1st Serve Speed
187 km/h
185 km/h

Average 2nd Serve Speed
162 km/h
153 km/h

1st Return Points Won
28% (28/100)
26% (26/100)

2nd Return Points Won
50% (26/52)
42% (16/38)

Break Points Converted
27% (3/11)
25% (2/8)

Winners
54
63

Unforced Errors
33
55

Net Points Won
78% (38/49)
74% (67/90)

Service Points Won
70% (99/141)
65% (99/153)

Return Points Won
35% (54/153)
30% (42/141)

Total Points Won
52% (153/294)
48% (141/294)

Service Games Won
91% (20/22)
86% (19/22)

Return Games Won
14% (3/22)
9% (2/22)

Total Games Won
52% (23/44)
48% (21/44)

Highlights

Sinner Destroys De Minaur

Alex de Minaur doesn’t enjoy facing Jannik Sinner, which showed on Wednesday. The Italian blew him off the court, coming through 6-3, 6-2, and 6-1 in just 1 hour and 48 minutes.

Sinner now leads the H2H 10-0, and he dropped just one set in those meetings five years ago in Sofia. This matchup is as one-sided as they come, with de Minaur lucky to get more than one or two games in a set.

Because of its one-sided nature, there is little to discuss regarding the match; the Aussie cannot hurt Sinner in any area of the court.

So there are no keys to the game or significant moments that changed momentum – it was all she wrote before a ball was even struck. Like boxing, styles make fights, and this one is a total mismatch.

With this win, Sinner extended his winning streak at hard-court Grand Slams to 19 matches, and he’s looking like the favourite to defend the title.

I feel like today I was feeling everything. On days like this, when you break quite early in each set, it’s a little bit easier. He’s a tough competitor and an amazing player… We know each other quite well now. We’ve played each other so many times and we try to understand each others games, and try to prepare ourselves in the best possible way. These kinds of matches, they can go quickly, but also they can change very fast if I go down with my level a little bit and he takes opportunities. I’m very happy about my performance today. Sinner trying to be diplomatic about his opponent.