Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Key posts
First-time major semi-finalist Ben Shelton has taken a swipe at broadcasters at the Australian Open, complaining about the line of questioning of some players in on-court interviews.
American Shelton, 22, ended his media conference after his quarter-final victory over Italian Lorenzo Sonego by saying he was “shocked” by how some players had been treated during interviews.
The world No.20 referenced the controversial incident in which Channel Nine sports presenter Tony Jones was embroiled in a spat with Novak Djokovic after the star player threatened to boycott the network over what he labelled as “insulating and offensive” remarks.
American star Ben Shelton has advanced to the Australian Open semi-finals.Credit: Getty Images
“I don’t think that the guy who mocked Novak – I don’t think that was just a single event,” said Shelton.
“I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself.
“I feel like broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and help these athletes who just won matches on the biggest stage enjoy one of their biggest moments.
“I feel like there’s just been a lot of negativity.
“I think that’s something that needs to change.”
Shelton cited two interviews of concern for him – an on-court chat conducted with Learner Tien after the American eliminated Daniil Medvedev in a second-round match which finished at close to 3am, and another interview conducted with Shelton, himself, after advanced past veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils in a fourth-round walkover.
“I noticed it with Learner Tien in one of his matches. I think when he beat Medvedev his post-match interview – I thought it was kind of embarrassing and disrespectful, that interview,” said Shelton.
By winning his quarter-final against Sonego, Shelton set up a semi-final berth – ultimately against world No.1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner, but there was plenty of local optimism that Alex de Minaur may just pull off a shock upset.
“There are some comments that have been made to me in post-match interviews by a couple of different guys, whether it was, ‘Hey, Monfils is old enough to be your dad’ .… or today on the court, ‘Hey, Ben, how does it feel that no matter who you play in your next match, no one is going to be cheering for you?’
“I mean, [that] may be true, but I just don’t think the comment is respectful from a guy I’ve never met before in my life.”
Defending champion Jannik Sinner put to bed any concern about his health after demolishing Australia’s Alex de Minaur in straight sets to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.
The world No.1 extended his perfect record against eighth-seeded de Minaur to 10 matches on Wednesday night, cruising to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 victory in only one hour and 48 minutes.
Alex de Minaur leaves the court after losing to Jannik Sinner (right).Credit: Getty Images
Sinner crushed 27 winners to de Minaur’s 10, committed fewer unforced errors (19-26), and dropped only 10 points on serve.
The 23-year-old Italian was visibly struggling at different stages of his four-set win over Holger Rune in his previous match, but showed no signs of being under the weather against de Minaur.
Sinner said he had a “very easy” day on Tuesday in preparation for the de Minaur clash, and there was never any doubt about him playing their quarter-final.
“I tell [my team] straight away that I’m ready for today,” Sinner said.
“When you play a night session, you try to sleep as long as you can, trying to eat healthy, and then having a good warm-up hit.
“It was quite breezy and windy this afternoon, so we went indoors, trying to feel the ball in the best possible way.
“The result was awesome, as we saw, so let’s see what’s coming now in the semi-finals.”
The defeat ends a career-best Australian Open for de Minaur, who has now made the quarter-finals at every grand slam.
De Minaur will remain at No.8 in the rankings unless American semi-finalist Ben Shelton – Sinner’s next opponent – wins the title.
“We played last year some very tough matches,” Sinner said of Shelton.
“He is one of the best servers on tour, left-handed, different rotation of the ball is coming, so hopefully I’m ready, and hopefully I can return as many as possible.”
Jim Courier did well to push Sinner to answer a few more questions following his demolition of Alex de Minaur tonight.
He even explained to the Italian, and to the audience, why he was asking more questions.
Jannik Sinner.Credit: Getty Images
“Let me take you behind the curtain, this is what happens when there is one singles match and you went so quickly, I get word to keep you on court,” Courier said with a laugh.
“You gotta entertain these people but I will ask you one more question and if you like, you can leave or we can just keep talking as long as you want.”
Courier also asked about his semi-final opponent Ben Shelton.
“We played last year some very tough matches,” Sinner said.
“He is one of the best servers on tour, left-handed, different rotation of the ball is coming so hopefully I’m ready, hopefully I can return as many as possible and trying to stay very concentrated about the game.
“[like today] Trying to stay aggressive and, hopefully, it’s going to be a great match also for you guys. Thank you so much for coming, amazing atmosphere.”
With that, he left
First-time major semi-finalist Ben Shelton has taken a swipe at broadcasters at the Australian Open, complaining about the line of questioning of some players in on-court interviews.
American Shelton, 22, ended his media conference after his quarter-final victory over Italian Lorenzo Sonego by saying he was “shocked” by how some players had been treated during interviews.
The world No.20 referenced the controversial incident in which Channel Nine sports presenter Tony Jones was embroiled in a spat with Novak Djokovic after the star player threatened to boycott the network over what he labelled as “insulating and offensive” remarks.
American star Ben Shelton has advanced to the Australian Open semi-finals.Credit: Getty Images
“I don’t think that the guy who mocked Novak – I don’t think that was just a single event,” said Shelton.
“I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself.
“I feel like broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and help these athletes who just won matches on the biggest stage enjoy one of their biggest moments.
“I feel like there’s just been a lot of negativity.
“I think that’s something that needs to change.”
Shelton cited two interviews of concern for him – an on-court chat conducted with Learner Tien after the American eliminated Daniil Medvedev in a second-round match which finished at close to 3am, and another interview conducted with Shelton, himself, after advanced past veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils in a fourth-round walkover.
“I noticed it with Learner Tien in one of his matches. I think when he beat Medvedev his post-match interview – I thought it was kind of embarrassing and disrespectful, that interview,” said Shelton.
By winning his quarter-final against Sonego, Shelton set up a semi-final berth – ultimately against world No.1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner, but there was plenty of local optimism that Alex de Minaur may just pull off a shock upset.
“There are some comments that have been made to me in post-match interviews by a couple of different guys, whether it was, ‘Hey, Monfils is old enough to be your dad’ .… or today on the court, ‘Hey, Ben, how does it feel that no matter who you play in your next match, no one is going to be cheering for you?’
“I mean, [that] may be true, but I just don’t think the comment is respectful from a guy I’ve never met before in my life.”
Jannik Sinner had more trouble negotiating the post match interview with Jim Courier than he did with this quarter-final tonight.
Courier had to keep Sinner on court for as long as he could because this match has finished so much sooner than organisers and broadcasters would have expected.
Jannik Sinner.Credit: Getty Images
Courier managed to extend it to seven minutes (or thereabouts), and he even explained to the Italian he had finished the match too quickly.
Sinner also explained how he felt much better today, and he told his team that was soon as he woke up.
He still had a light two days since his win over Holger Rune.
“Yesterday was a very easy day. I played just half an hour, 40 minutes with my coaches there,” Sinner said.
“Talking about general physical [condition], you know, I feel like, especially when you are young, you recover very fast, it’s a bit different.”
Courier took his moment and accused Sinner of looking right at him when he said that line, to the raucous laughter of the crowd.
Sinner also laughed, sheepishly, and apologised but added that he was looking through Courier and at his team, all of whom are quite a bit older than him.
“That makes me feel better,” Courier said.
That was a tennis lesson from Jannik Sinner.
He came in with a 9-0 record against Alex de Minaur and that match was a resounding 10th win on the trot for the Italian.
Sinner won 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 in 108 imperious minutes.
Jannik Sinner.Credit: Getty Images
More importantly, he will play Ben Shelton in a semi-final with a huge chance to return to the final on Sunday night.
His last couple of winners tonight were just astounding – a straight shot down the line, and an around-the-net backhand for match-point.
Party tricks, both of them.
Credit to the Aussie, he fought it out, but he was simply outclassed tonight.
Sinner is just too good. Too long, too strong, too quick, too mentally alert.
Too everything.
Sinner was sick two days ago. Now he is the good sick. Just a sick tennis player, as the kids used to say.
Sinner leads 6-3, 6-2, 5-1.
“Alright,” cheered Todd Woodbridge as de Minaur held serve and got himself off the third set bagel (0 wins).
It feels like a win on an otherwise heartbreaking night for the Australian hope.
Sinner is up 6-3, 6-2, 4-1 and is serving again.
This is reminiscent of Alex de Minaur’s fourth-round defeat at Melbourne Park to Novak Djokovic two years ago. The Demon won only five games that night, and is stuck on that same tally, trailing by two sets and 4-0 at this stage.
Sinner has smashed through another service game. He’s two sets and 4-0 up with de Minaur serving again.
On the pneumonia rumour, McEnroe has scored another laugh, at least from me.
“If he has pneumonia, give me a taste!” McEnroe said on Nine.
It’s like we have a replay of the second set running. Actually, I need to double-check that isn’t what’s happening as it is hard to believe Sinner has managed to get another double-break on de Minaur.
The Aussie just can’t find any way back into this match and, in his desperation, his shots are going wide or long, or just plain off the mark.
Alex de Minaur.Credit: Getty Images
Sinner is on another level. It will only be a matter of games until he is in the semi-final.
Sinner leads 6-3, 6-2, 3-0 and is serving.
