The win sets up a showdown with Alexander Zverev of Germany in Sunday’s final. Earlier Friday, Zverev won the first set of his semifinal when Novak Djokovic missed a putaway volley in a tiebreak. Djokovic retired on the spot, unable to overcome the muscle tear he suffered in his quarterfinal win over Carlos Alcaraz Tuesday night.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner overcame an early test against American Ben Shelton to reach his second straight Australian Open final, winning 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2.

American Ben Shelton faces No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open men's semifinals with a spot in the final on the line. What to know.

World no. 1 Jannik Sinner is a win away from the Australian Open title defense! The two-time Major champion faced the American Ben Shelton in the semi-final and scored a solid 7-6, 6-2, 6-2 triumph in two hours and 36 minutes.

Ben Shelton's Australian Open quarterfinal foe, Lorenzo Sonego, produced the shot of the tournament — diving to his left for a volley with so much spin that the ball bounced on one side of the net, then floated back over to the other — but it was the American who ended up with the victory Wednesday.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner continued his sizzling Australian Open run with a victory over American Ben Shelton.

Jannik Sinner fought through an attack of cramp to subdue his explosive young challenger Ben Shelton in three sets and keep his title defence on the road.

Swiatek will face No. 19 Madison Keys of the U.S. on Thursday night for a berth in the final. The other women’s semifinal is No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, against her good friend, No. 11 Paula Badosa.