Thu Jan 23 05:11:58 UTC 2025: ## Sinner Cruises into Australian Open Semifinals, Ending De Minaur’s Run; Shelton Slams Interviewer Disrespect
**MELBOURNE, Australia** – Top-seeded Jannik Sinner ended Australia’s hopes of a homegrown men’s champion at the Australian Open, defeating eighth-seeded Alex de Minaur in straight sets (6-3, 6-2, 6-1) on Thursday. The victory propels Sinner into the semifinals, where he will face American Ben Shelton. De Minaur’s loss extends Australia’s drought to nearly 50 years, since Mark Edmondson’s win in 1976. Despite the defeat, De Minaur received a standing ovation from the packed Rod Laver Arena crowd for his spirited performance. Sinner, who also won the US Open in September, praised De Minaur’s competitiveness but remained focused on his pursuit of a third Grand Slam title.
Meanwhile, the on-court interview practices at the Australian Open have come under fire. American semifinalist Ben Shelton criticized what he described as disrespectful comments made by interviewers throughout the tournament. Shelton cited instances where interviewers made inappropriate remarks about his age relative to his opponents and suggested a lack of home-country support for his upcoming semifinal match. He specifically called out comments made by one interviewer implying that no one would be cheering for him, regardless of his opponent. Shelton’s comments follow similar complaints from Novak Djokovic, who expressed displeasure over comments made by a broadcaster. Shelton urged broadcasters to foster a more positive and respectful environment for players, emphasizing the importance of celebrating their achievements on such a grand stage. Tennis Australia has yet to respond to these criticisms.
First Piper 