Melbourne, Jan 22 (Reporter) American tennis sensation Ben Shelton showcased nerves of steel and an unyielding fighting spirit to edge past Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in a gripping quarterfinal at the Australian Open on Wednesday. In a match marked by relentless aggression and spectacular shot-making, Shelton triumphed 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) to book his maiden semifinal appearance at Melbourne Park. World No. 55 Sonego adopted a daring approach, charging the net 90 times and winning 67 of those exchanges, creating a spectacle for fans at Rod Laver Arena. The 29-year-old Italian’s aggressive tactics, combined with his creative shot selection, kept the 22-year-old left-hander Shelton on his toes throughout the match. Shelton, who previously reached the semifinals of the US Open in 2023, displayed maturity and composure under pressure, managing to capitalise on key moments. His powerful serve was a decisive weapon, clocking a 232 km/h ace to seal the first set, the joint-fastest serve of the tournament so far. Despite trailing two sets to love, Sonego continued to fight, thrilling the spectators with his shot-making skills, including an audacious diving backhand volley in the second set that drew applause from Shelton himself. However, Shelton’s consistency proved the difference, with his 33 unforced errors significantly fewer than Sonego’s 55. The Italian pulled one set back in the third, breaking Shelton in the 10th game with a forehand winner. The fourth set was closely contested, with both players trading fierce rallies. A tiebreak decided the outcome, where Shelton capitalised on a crucial forehand volley error from Sonego to gain a 5-4 lead. Shelton sealed victory with two commanding serves. With the win, Shelton advances to face either World No. 1 Jannik Sinner or Australian favourite Alex de Minaur in the semifinals. Undaunted by the prospect of a partisan crowd, Shelton said, “You guys can boo me, you can throw stuff at me,” he quipped. “I’m looking forward to it. I know I’ve got a few people out in the crowd who are going to pull for me too.” The American’s electrifying performance not only marked a significant milestone in his career but also set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling semifinal clash...////...