Australian Open Semis: Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for Ben Shelton vs Jannik Sinner

• American Ben Shelton has reached his second career grand-slam semifinal
• Shelton is a big underdog to world #1 and reigning Aussie Open-champ Jannik Sinner
• Below, see the Ben Shelton vs Jannik Sinner odds, predictions, and best bets for Thursday’s semifinal in Melbourne

World #20 Ben Shelton dispatched Lorenzo Sonego in four sets on Tuesday, setting up a semifinal clash at the Australian Open with reigning champion and world #1 Jannik Sinner. Riding a 22-match overall win streak, Sinner is a massive favorite to dispatch the American on Thursday evening. The exact start time for this match has not been set but both men’s semis – which also includes #7 Novak Djokovic vs #2 Alexander Zverev – will take place on Thursday night in North America.

Ben Shelton vs Jannik Sinner Odds

Sinner has opened as a heavy -1100 favorite to reach his second straight Australian Open final, with Shelton a +700 longshot to end the Italian’s win streak. The game spread favors Sinner by 6.5 with -130 juice on the world #1.

Odds as of January 22 at DraftKings. See SBD’s list of online betting banking methods available for the Australian Open.

Sinner has only dropped two sets in five matches on his way to the semifinals. He took care of big-serving Nicolas Jarry (7-6, 7-6, 6-1), Tristan Schoolkate (4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3), Marcos Giron (6-3, 6-4, 6-2), and Holger Rune (6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2), before demolishing crowd favorite Alex De Minaur (6-3, 6-2, 6-1) in the quarterfinals.

The world #1 is the odds-on favorite to win the entire tournament in the Australian Open odds.

Shelton has been almost as dominant on his road to the semis, losing four sets over five matches and never once going to a fifth set. He downed fellow American Brandon Nakashima (7-6, 7-5, 7-5), Pablo Carreno-Busta (6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4), Lorenzo Musetti (6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6), and Gael Monfils (7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 1-0 retired) before taking care of another Italian, Lorenzo Sonego, in Tuesday’s quarterfinals (6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6).

The head-to-head history between the 22-year-old America and 23-year-old Italian has been completely one-sided of late, however. Sinner has won four straight matches without conceding a set.

 Shelton vs Sinner H2H History

Shelton’s last (and so far only) win over Sinner came back in October 2023 in a three-setter in Shanghai. The pair’s only previous meeting at a grand slam came at Wimbledon last year, when Sinner won in straight set.

In his four-match win streak over the American, Sinner has also won four straight tiebreaks, with Shelton only winning 16 total points in those tiebreaks.

Shelton vs Sinner Predictions & Picks

I see no value in betting against Sinner on the moneyline these days. He’s reached the point of inevitability against basically anyone other than Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. But I don’t expect Shelton to be a pushover. He’s only lost serve seven times in five matches, and the medium-fast courts in Melbourne play into his big-serving style of play.

Each one of Shelton’s last four matches with Sinner included a tiebreak. If he can either win a set or force two tiebreaks, the over (33.5 games) is almost guaranteed to hit.

The closest player to Shelton that Sinner has faced in the tournament so far was the Chilean Jarry, who managed to take the world #1 to a tiebreak in the first and second sets before fading with a whimper in the third.

Shelton, who also reached the semifinals at the 2023 US Open (where he lost to Novak Djokovic in straight sets), shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the moment his second time around.

Shelton vs Sinner Picks:

• Over 33.5 games (-110)
• First set over 10.5 games

The Australian Open has reached the semi-final stage, and one of the most anticipated matches is between Ben Shelton and Jannik Sinner. Both players have had impressive runs in the tournament so far, and fans are eager to see who will come out on top in this exciting matchup.

Ben Shelton, a seasoned veteran on the tour, has been in fine form throughout the tournament. He has shown great skill and determination in his matches, and his experience could give him the edge over his younger opponent. Shelton’s powerful serve and aggressive playing style make him a formidable opponent on any surface.

On the other hand, Jannik Sinner is a rising star in the world of tennis. The young Italian has been turning heads with his impressive performances and has already defeated some top-ranked players in the tournament. Sinner’s speed and agility on the court make him a tough competitor to beat, and he will be looking to continue his winning streak in the semi-finals.

As for the odds, bookmakers have Shelton as the slight favorite to win this match. However, Sinner has shown that he is more than capable of causing an upset, so this match could go either way. It is sure to be a thrilling encounter between two talented players who are at the top of their game.

For those looking to place a bet on this match, the best bet may be to go with Shelton to win. While Sinner is a strong competitor, Shelton’s experience and skill could give him the edge in this match. Of course, anything can happen in tennis, so it is always wise to approach betting with caution.

Overall, the Australian Open semi-final between Ben Shelton and Jannik Sinner promises to be an exciting and closely contested match. Tennis fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see who will come out on top and advance to the final. It is sure to be a match filled with drama, skill, and excitement, so make sure to tune in and see who will emerge victorious.