Jannik Sinner beat Ben Shelton in straight sets to seal his progression to the Australian Open final.

Sinner will now have the chance to defend his title on Sunday when he takes on Alexander Zverev, who was the benefactor of Novak Djokovic's retirement due to injury.

Shelton pushed Sinner all the way in the opening set, but the world number one showed his quality to prevail in the tiebreak before going on to win 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 6-2 in a little over two-and-a-half hours.

Sinner knew he was in a match from the off, as Shelton immediately broke serve, but the top seed got a break back to square matters up at 2-2.

2 - Jannik Sinner is the youngest player to reach back-to-back Men’s Singles finals at the Australian Open since Pete Sampras (1994-1995). Phenomenal.#AO2025 | @AustralianOpen @atptour pic.twitter.com/WnB6ARIZPs

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 24, 2025

Shelton broke again, though, and Sinner had to claw back two set points to force the tiebreak.

But from there, he took control, and carried the momentum into a second set that he wrapped up in just 43 minutes, as the pressure seemed to get to Shelton.

The American could not recover in the third, as Sinner broke him twice before a stray return into the net ended Shelton's dream run and sent the Italian into his second straight Grand Slam final.

Data Debrief: Sensational Sinner sparkles again

Sinner has now won his last 20 matches, setting his longest career winning streak, surpassing the 19 wins in a row he managed between the Davis Cup 2023 and Indian Wells 2024.

20 - Jannik Sinner has won his last 20 matches setting his longest career winning streak (19 wins in a row between the Davis Cup 2023 and Indian Wells 2024). Streak.#AO2025 | @AustralianOpen @atptour pic.twitter.com/ZvSyyD6olN

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 24, 2025

The 23-year-old is also the second-youngest player in the Open Era to win 20 consecutive hard court men's singles grand slam matches - older only than John McEnroe in 1981.

Sinner is the youngest man to reach back-to-back singles finals at the Australian Open since Pete Sampras (1994-1995).

His meeting with Zverev will be the first final between the ATP's top two at the Australian Open since 2019, when Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in straight sets.