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.

Sinner, the world No. 1 and defending champion, reached his second straight Australian Open final with a 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 semifinal victory over No. 21 Ben Shelton, the Atlanta native. The Italian improved to 15-0 against Americans in majors.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner continued his sizzling Australian Open run with a 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2 win over American 21st seed Ben Shelton to reach a second straight final at Melbourne Park and book a meeting with Alexander Zverev.