PARIS — Jannik Sinner took a significant stride toward reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking, defeating American Ben Shelton in a hard-fought quarter-final at the Rolex Paris Masters on Friday. The Italian sensation showcased his trademark blend of power and precision to secure a 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3 victory, booking his spot in the final four of the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event.
With Novak Djokovic's withdrawal from the tournament, the door to the top spot was flung wide open, and Sinner is now tantalizingly close to walking through it. A semi-final win would guarantee his ascent to the pinnacle of men's tennis for the first time in his career, a remarkable achievement for the 22-year-old who has enjoyed a breakout season, including his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
A Battle of Power and Finesse
The match against the 16th-seeded Shelton was a compelling contrast in styles. Sinner's fluid, relentless groundstrokes were pitted against Shelton's explosive, first-strike tennis. The first set was a masterclass in controlled aggression from the Italian, who broke Shelton's serve in the opening game and never looked back, sealing the set with a commanding hold.
The second set, however, saw a dramatic shift. Shelton, known for his fiery competitiveness, elevated his level, saving all three break points he faced and forcing a tie-break. In the breaker, the American's colossal serve and fearless net approaches paid dividends, allowing him to level the match and push Sinner to a deciding set for the first time this week.
Reflecting on the momentum swing, Sinner acknowledged the challenge Shelton presented. "He started to play much better in the second set, serving incredibly well," Sinner said in his post-match press conference. "In the tie-break, he was just better. I knew I had to stay focused, to be a bit more aggressive on the return in the third, and I managed to do that."
Sinner's Decisive Response
The third set demonstrated exactly why Sinner is on the cusp of becoming world No. 1. Unfazed by losing the second set, he immediately reasserted his dominance, breaking Shelton's serve in the fourth game. From there, his own serve became an impenetrable fortress, and he closed out the match with a series of blistering forehands, finishing with 33 winners to 25 unforced errors.
Shelton, despite the loss, praised his opponent's level. "Jannik is playing some of the best tennis on tour right now," Shelton stated. "He makes you earn every single point. I had my chances, but he was just too good in the key moments of the third set."
Sinner's path to the semi-finals has been impressive, dropping only one set. His key strengths on display in Paris have been:
- Return Position: Standing exceptionally close to the baseline to neutralize big serves.
- Forehand Dominance: Dictating rallies with pace and depth.
- Improved Serve: Consistently landing free points.
Auger-Aliassime's Resurgence Continues
In the other half of the draw, a compelling narrative of resurgence unfolded as Felix Auger-Aliassime continued his stunning run. The Canadian, who has struggled for form and fitness for much of the season, produced another commanding performance to defeat Roman Safiullin 6-3, 6-2. Auger-Aliassime has been in devastating form this week, not dropping a single set and defeating top-15 player Stefanos Tsitsipas in the previous round.
This run marks Auger-Aliassime's first Masters 1000 semi-final since Paris in 2022, the tournament he went on to win. His powerful serve and forehand have been firing on all cylinders, and his confidence appears to be fully restored. "I'm playing with a lot of clarity, a lot of confidence," Auger-Aliassime said. "I'm just trying to keep this momentum going."
Bublik's Big Win Sets Up Semi-Final Clash
Auger-Aliassime's semi-final opponent will be Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik, who produced a minor upset by defeating No. 10 seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-2. Bublik, the tournament's 16th seed, was in scintillating form, firing 12 aces and breaking Dimitrov's serve four times in a match that lasted just over an hour.
Bublik's unorthodox style, featuring powerful groundstrokes and unpredictable shot-making, proved too much for the in-form Dimitrov. The victory propels Bublik into his second Masters 1000 semi-final of the season, a testament to his growing consistency at the highest level of the sport.
The Road to World Number One
All eyes now turn to Sinner's semi-final clash against either Daniil Medvedev or Andrey Rublev. The stakes could not be higher. A victory would not only send him into the Paris final but would also officially dethrone Novak Djokovic and make him the 29th player in ATP history to hold the world No. 1 ranking.
When asked about the prospect, Sinner remained characteristically composed. "It would mean a lot, for sure, it's a dream for every player," he admitted. "But it's not in my hands yet. I have to win the next match, and that is my only focus."
The mathematical scenarios are clear-cut for Sinner:
- Win the semi-final: Becomes World No. 1 on Monday.
- Lose the semi-final: Remains World No. 2.
With his victory over Shelton, Jannik Sinner has not only moved to within one match of the Paris final but has also placed himself on the precipice of tennis history. His performance under pressure against a dangerous opponent like Shelton proves he possesses the mental fortitude to match his extraordinary physical gifts. The tennis world now waits to see if the young Italian can complete his remarkable journey to the summit of the sport.