Australian Open, Day 11 Highlights: Sinner sets up Djokovic semi-final clash

Jannik Sinner cruised past Ben Shelton in the end with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. The Italian looked to be in full control of the contest throughout and while Shelton did test him the third set, the Italian makes his way to another semi-final. Next up, another battle with Novak Djokovic. 

That looks to be the turning point that Sinner was hoping for as he breaks Shelton. He takes 5-4 lead and is serving for the game and an entry into the semi-finals. 

The third set has been a more testing one for Sinner with Shelton continuing to push him in the match. The Italian continues to hold the edge in the contest but it is getting a bit more tougher from the American's side. 

Score: Sinner leads 6-3, 6-4, 3-3

It is just not working out for Ben Shelton tonight. He is taking risks, he is giving his best, but he is simply not at Sinner's level yet.

He is unable to break Sinner, and the Italian takes the second set 6-4 inside an hour and 45 minutes. This might end in straight sets ladies and gentlemen.

Ben Shelton really levelled up against Sinner but he was not able to capitalise on his good shots.

It was duece (40-40) thrice in Sinner's service game but eventually the Italian survives a potential break.

The second set of the match has not changed much. The sheer power on Sinner's shots are troubling Ben Shelton.

Sinner has already broken Shelton once and is leading 2-1 in the second set.

Shelton has just lifted his level and has been targetting the baseline more often. Sinner is struggling to control the pace on those shots and has conceded a couple of points to Shelton while serving in the 4th game of the set.

Jannik Sinner wrapped up the opening set 6‑3 against Ben Shelton in just 49 minutes. After taking an early break to move 3‑1 up, Sinner became virtually unstoppable, dictating play from the baseline.

The Italian has now won 20 consecutive sets against Shelton, leaving the American with a tough task ahead. Shelton will need to raise his level significantly if he hopes to mount any sort of comeback in the second set.

Sinner has surged to a 5‑2 lead in the first set and is just one game away from wrapping it up against Shelton. While Shelton has flashed moments of brilliance, Sinner’s dominant play hasn’t given him a moment to relax. The American will need something special to halt this momentum and stay in the set. The pressure is mounting with every point.

Shelton has held serve this time! Sinner pushed him hard, taking the sixth game all the way to deuce, but Shelton held his nerve under pressure.

Still, Sinner remains a break up in the first set, and Shelton will need to fight back if he wants to stay alive in this opening set. Can he find the momentum to turn things around? The tension on court is palpable.

And there it is!

Jannik Sinner strikes first, taking the early initiative in this quarterfinal clash.

The Italian moves 3‑1 up in the opening set after claiming his first break of serve. Shelton showed some resistance, saving two break points, but Sinner stayed calm and converted on the third chance, closing out the game with authority.

The question now: how will Shelton respond to this early setback? The momentum firmly rests with Sinner at the moment.

Ben Shelton has made a lively start, striking the ball cleanly and already firing five winners, outpacing Jannik Sinner’s three at this stage.

The scoreboard reads 1-1, with Sinner taking his time to settle into a rhythm, absorbing the early pressure and feeling his way into the contest as Shelton looks to seize the early initiative.

Jannik Sinner has won his last 19 sets against Ben Shelton, underlining an extraordinary level of dominance over the American. The Italian has looked largely untouchable in this Australian Open, dropping just one set so far—against fellow American Eliot Spizzirri in the third round.

That small chink in the armour may offer Shelton a sliver of belief, but Sinner’s recent record suggests he will not give anything away easily as the quarterfinal unfolds.

Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton have now stepped out onto the court for their quarterfinal clash, with the spotlight firmly on the Italian. Sinner walks in as the clear favourite, having dominated the recent history between the two by winning their last eight encounters.

Beyond tonight’s contest, there is an even bigger narrative at play—Sinner stands just three victories away from completing a remarkable hat-trick of Australian Open titles, adding extra weight to every point played under the Melbourne lights.

In case you have missed the Musetti vs Djokovic quarter-final that ended under dramatic circumstances.

You can read the match report here before the highlights arrive.

Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire injured against Novak Djokovic despite being firmly in control, leading 6-4, 6-4, 1-3 in the men’s singles quarter-final.

Dominant for most of the clash, Musetti’s body gave way at the worst possible moment.

Here’s the instant he knew he couldn’t continue.

“I played really well throughout the tournament until today. Today I’m definitely not happy with my performance, but it’s another day in the office. Hopefully, in a couple of days’ time, I can come out and be at my best, because that’s what’s going to be needed.”

Stay tuned for the match report and other reactions.

Also, Jannik Sinner's match starts at 1:30 PM.

Djokovic speaks about his own injury, which might get worse in the next round

“I tried my best, really. I can’t complain. A blister here and there, nothing that really bothered me. I just wasn’t feeling the ball today in the first couple of sets, but that’s also because of his quality and the variety in his game.

“I’m just extremely lucky to get through this one today.”

“The (aggressive) strategy worked very well for the first couple of games, and then it completely changed. I had four winners in the first two games, and then for the rest of the match I had another four winners and probably 40 errors.

“That’s what Lorenzo does to you. He makes you play. When you think the point is finished, it’s not. In windy, swirly conditions, when you attack him, you don’t know what to expect — whether it’s a passing shot, a cross-court ball, a short slice, a flat shot into your body, or a looping ball to my weakest shot, which is the overhead. I think we saw that again today.”

“First of all, I don’t know what to say except that I feel really sorry for him. He was the better player today. I was basically on my way home tonight.

“This kind of thing has happened to me a few times, but to be in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam, two sets to love up and in full control, it’s just so unfortunate. I really wish him a speedy recovery. He should have been the winner today, no doubt.”

Novak Djokovic admits that he had no control over the match and was on his way home tonight.

Djokovic says that Musetti was definitely going into the semi-finals tonight.

Stay tuned as we bring you the full quotes from the on-court interview.

Lorenzo Musetti is walking off. He is walking off.

Incredible scenes at the Australian Open.

He was struggling with the inside of his right thigh, and he decides to quit the quarter-final match.

Lorenzo Musetti, leading, 6-4, 6-4, 1-3 gives a walkover to Novak Djokovic.

The Serbian enters the semi-finals of the tournament.

Lorenzo Musetti is struggling to move and Novak Djokovic has made full use of that issue.

Djokovic has once again raised his intensity and has held his serve. He has rushed to a 3-1 lead and is likely to win this set.

Lorenzo Musetti has taken a medical time out while trailing 1-2 in the third set.

Very interesting this. Djokovic took a time-out right after the second set and Musetti pauses play just when pressure was building on him.

Genuine injury, or is this mind games?

Lorenzo Musetti is on the charge and has won the second set against Novak Djokovic.

The Serbian is on the brink of getting knocked out and needs to rethink the way he is playing this game.

It is Musetti's backhand slices, down the court and cross-courts that are putting Djokovic in trouble. He has not had no answer to that at all.

Novak Djokovic was given a time violation warning by the umpire in the middle of the first set.

He was not happy with that and proceeded to have some words with the umpire.

“I was looking for my cap. I was changing. You could’ve given me a heads up, as a gentleman and someone who’s been in sport for a couple decades… Mid first set, first time I go over and you give me a warning. You think that’s fair? I’m not saying it’s against the rules, because I went over. But you could’ve given me a heads up right? You could’ve told me ‘Hey Novak, hurry up.’ Right?”

The constant breaking of serves seems to have finished, at least at the moment.

Both Djokovic and Musetti have held their serves, which means that Musetti is leading 3-2, and is serving to build on that lead.

Musetti's backhand has been the showstopper so far, while Djokovic has doubled down on his powerful forehands, catching Musetti off guard as he tries to counter the top spin on the forehand side.

No one wants to hold their serve in the second set. 3 games and the serve has Been broken in all three of them.

Lorenzo Musetti is leading 2-1 at the moment, after breaking Djokovic's serve for the second time in this game.

What is interesting is perhaps that Djokovic looks to be in the zone and was very close to holding his service just now.

However, Musetti is currently leading 2-1 after winning the first set 6-4.

Wow!

What a comeback from Lorenzo Musetti. The young legs of the 23-year-old, dominates after initially trailing against Djokovic.

From 0-2 down, Musetti takes the first set 6-4 in the Australian Open.

Lorenzo Musetti races to 40-15 and then seals Game 8. He now leads 5-3 in the first set and has forced Djokovic into a corner.

The 10-time Australian Open champion will now be serving to save the match.

Lorenzo Musetti is on song.

After breaking Djokovic he has held his serve once again. The Italian now leads 4-2 in the first set. He is getting into his rhythm now, while Djokovic's intensity is coming down.

This might spell trouble for the legendary Serbian.

Finally Musetti makes a comeback into this match. But that has come through multiple poor shots from Djokovic.

Djokovic had multiple chances to seal off the third game, but ends up hitting multiple unforced errors. In one of the ocassions, he lands his forehand smash out of the court.

Novak Djokovic has started on a very high level. Playing the quarter-finals against a higher seeded opponent, Djokovic has come out at a good speed and with a very high intensity.

He forces Musetti into tactical issues, by rushing to the net. Take for example a play where, Djokovic forced Musetti into a backhand at the baseline. After playing the shot, Djokovic rushed towards the net.

Musetti, already in trouble due to the pace on the ball, sliced the ball. Djokovic rushed and simply volleyed the ball passed the Italian.

Djokovic is 2-0 up already within the first 8 minutes of the match.

Novak Djokovic starts well in the first set.

Serving in the first game, Djokovic starts with some old school tennis, serves well and rushes to the net. Musetti is surprised by the sheer pace on the ball and loses majority of his points on the backhand.

Record time Australian Open champion, Novak Djokovic is in action against Lorenzo Musetti.

Djokovic, who got a walkover in the last game will be taking on Musetti, who beat 9th seed Taylor Fritz in the last game.

Amanda Anisimova's campaign in the Australian Open comes to an end.

An epic breakdown in the tie-breaker of the second set has led to her losing 1-7 in the second set.

6th seed Jessica Pegula wins the quarter-final 6-2, 7-6(1) and moves into the semi-finals.

That ends the women's showdown for today and now we move onto the last 2 matches of the evening, where Novak Djokovoc takes on Lorenzo Musetti and Jannik Sinner plays Ben Shelton.

Amanda Anisimova is losing it out there. She is frustrated and absolutely seething at herself.

Her shots have gone long and in sharp contrast to Pegula's calm, Anisimova is shouting at herself and her racket.

After what has been a tremendous show of resilience, Anisimova is now withering out of the game.

Wow! No one is leaving an inch out here at the Rod Laver Arena.

Anisimova breaks Pegula and the second sets heads into tie-breaker in the second set.

The 4th and the 6th seed are not letting this go, and this now has the makings of a great quarter-final match in the Australian Open.

The shotmaking has been of top quality, with Anisimova and Pegula both hitting some tremendous backhands.

Jessica Pegula raised her level and holds off Anisimova. She breaks Anisimova's serve in the 11th game of the second set to 6-5 ahead.

She is now serving to win the match.

Amanda Anisimova has fought back hard in the second set. She is not getting run over in this one.

Pegula is trailing 4-5 and is serving to stay in the second set.

Jessica Pegula has taken the first set with relative ease against compatriot Amanda Anisimova. Pegula wins the opening set 6-2, and will be hoping to make short work of this.

We’re into the final women’s singles quarter-final now, with Jessica Pegula up against fellow American Amanda Anisimova in what promises to be another intriguing contest.

Pegula has made the brighter start and holds the early edge, but it’s far too soon to draw any experience-versus-youth conclusions just yet. There’s plenty of tennis still to be played.

After the drama of Swiatek vs Rybakina, Rod Laver Arena will be hoping for another dose of high-octane entertainment — and this matchup looks ready to deliver.

Day 11 in Melbourne kicks off with a seismic shock, and it’s a giant name heading for the exits. World No. 2 Iga Swiatek is out of the Australian Open 2026, going down 5-7, 1-6 to Elina Rybakina in the women’s singles quarter-final at Rod Laver Arena.

Whether it was brute power or laser-like precision, Rybakina simply had too much in her arsenal for the Polish star. She dictated terms almost throughout, never allowing Swiatek to settle into her rhythm.

The numbers tell their own story — 11 aces, 23 service points won, and 12 return points claimed, all swinging firmly in favour of the fifth seed. A comprehensive statement win.

It’s back to the drawing board for Swiatek, and her body language at the end said it all. A brutal end to her Melbourne campaign. 

This is starting to slip away fast.

Elina Rybakina looks in complete control now, stretching out to a commanding 4-1 lead in the second set. The warning signs are flashing for Iga Swiatek, who suddenly finds herself just two games away from a shock exit at the Australian Open 2026.

Rybakina’s power game is doing serious damage, leaving Swiatek chasing shadows and time. The margins are shrinking, the pressure piling on.

What does the Polish star have left to throw at this match to save her campaign? Or has Rybakina already slammed the door shut?

Elina Rybakina strikes first, pocketing the opening set 7-5 as the world No. 5 unleashes her power to full effect against Polish world No. 2 Iga Swiatek.

The numbers just about tilt in Rybakina’s favour — four aces and eight return points underline her edge, even if the margins remain razor-thin. Every big swing is landing with intent.

Swiatek now has no option but to come out swinging in Set 2. Fightback incoming, or are we staring at a major name bowing out early on Day 11? Either way, Rod Laver Arena is absolutely buzzing. 

Right from the opening set, this is shaping up like a full-blown end-to-end thriller, with the intensity refusing to dip even for a moment.

Elina Rybakina has edged ahead to a 6-5 lead, but Iga Swiatek is lurking close behind, ready to punish the slightest lapse. One slip from Rybakina, and the Polish world No. 2 will be all over it.

Neither player has been able to crack the other’s serve so far. The big question now — can Swiatek force this into a tiebreaker?

There’s absolutely nothing between the two right now, with Iga Swiatek and Elina Rybakina pushing each other to the limit in a thrilling opening set that just refuses to blink.

Rybakina has clearly held the edge in raw power, already firing down two clean aces, but that aggression has come at a cost. The Kazakh has leaked more unforced errors, allowing Swiatek to stay firmly in the contest.

It’s Rybakina who noses ahead 5-4 in Set 1, but the pressure is far from off — Swiatek is stepping up to serve now, with everything still delicately poised. 

Day 11 is officially rolling at the Australian Open 2026 in Melbourne, and the promise of a blockbuster day of tennis is already delivering.

Straight out of the gates, we’re treated to a premium showdown as Iga Swiatek, the world No. 2, locks horns with world No. 5 Elina Rybakina.

Swiatek burst out with early authority, looking sharp and assertive, but Rybakina has wasted no time in finding her range. The Kazakh steadies the ship, and suddenly Set 1 is delicately poised at 2-2 — momentum swinging, nerves tested.

Strap in, this one could be a marathon. Let’s see who blinks first.

Rod Laver Arena – Day 11 Schedule (IST)

Day Session – From 6:00 AM IST
Women’s Singles | Quarterfinal
Elena Rybakina (5) vs Iga Świątek (2)

Day Session – Not Before 7:30 AM IST
Women’s Singles | Quarterfinal
Jessica Pegula (6) vs Amanda Anisimova (4)

Day Session – Not Before 9:00 AM IST
Men’s Singles | Quarterfinal
Lorenzo Musetti (5) vs Novak Djokovic (4)

Night Session – From 1:30 PM IST
Men’s Singles | Quarterfinal
Ben Shelton (8) vs Jannik Sinner (2)