Shelton, Keys advance to 2025 Australian Open semifinals

Ben Shelton and Madison Keys both came through in the clutch on Wednesday to book their places in the 2025 Australian Open semifinals. Shelton fought off a late charge from Lorenzo Sonego to notch a 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) victory and advance to his second Grand Slam semifinal. Earlier in Melbourne, Keys came from behind to beat Elina Svitolina, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, to make her seventh major semi.

In doubles action, Taylor Townsend and her Czech partner Katerina Siniakova—the women's top seeds—are also through to the last four after their 6-1, 7-5 win against Kristina Mladenovic and Zhang Shaui.

Shelton's second Slam SF

Two years after his breakout run to the 2023 Australian Open quarterfinals, the 22-year-old Shelton has gone one step further in Melbourne to match his run at the 2023 US Open. The electric lefty won a thrilling match against Sonego that was full of shotmaking and aggressive tennis from both sides.

“I feel relieved right now. Shoutout to Lorenzo Sonego because that was some ridiculous tennis,” Shelton said in his on-court interview. “I’m just really happy to be through, to get my first win on Rod Laver Arena. Thanks everybody for coming out, it was one of my favorite matches of my career."

Shelton displayed great patience in setting up his forehand in the baseline rallies and won 38 of 49 (78%) of his net points in the gripping contest. As Sonego grew in confidence in set four, having taken the third, Shelton fought off a key break point in the sixth game of the set to stop the Italian's momentum.

Keys battles back for 10th straight win

Like Shelton, Keys' first deep Grand Slam run also came early in her career in Melbourne. The American reached the first of her now seven major semifinals at the 2015 Aussie Open and will now face Iga Swiatek as she bids to reach her second Slam final.

"I'm really, really proud of myself to be in another semifinal here and kind of hoping and looking forward to see if I can make it one step further," Keys said after beating Svitolina.

Keys again supplemented her powerful game with variety and consistency to see off the Ukrainian former world No. 3. The victory was her 10th straight, dating back to the start of her Adelaide title run earlier this month.

Breaking midway through the second and third sets, the 29-year-old Keys showed veteran poise to close out the win. She did not face a break point in the final set and finished with 49 winners.