Shelton reaches Australian Open semi-final and blasts ‘disrespectful’ broadcasters

  • Atlanta native defeats Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4)
  • No 21 seed praises Lorenzo Sonego’s ‘ridiculous’ tennis

Ben Shelton, a 22-year-old from Atlanta, is through to his first Australian Open semi-final after defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4) on Wednesday in Melbourne. Shelton has competed in only one previous grand slam semi-final, when he lost to the eventual champion, Novak Djokovic, at the 2023 US Open.

On Wednesday, Shelton prevailed by playing a steadier ground game than his opponent. Sonego finished with a slight edge in winners, 63-54, but he committed far more unforced errors, 55-33.

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‘Best feelings of my life’: Lewis Hamilton makes test debut for new team Ferrari

  • British former world champion runs out at foggy Fiorano
  • ‘I couldn’t be happier to realise dream of racing in red’

Lewis Hamilton described his maiden drive in a Ferrari car as one of the best feelings of his life after he realised a childhood dream by completing his first laps for the Italian team. Hamilton, who turned 40 this month, left his garage at Ferrari’s private test circuit in Fiorano in foggy conditions before posting 30 laps.

The seven-time world champion, who will be paid more than £100m across his new two-year deal with the Italian team, tested a 2023 Ferrari – the latest model he is allowed to use. Hamilton will complete further miles at the Circuit de Barcelona‑Catalunya next week before Formula One’s official three-day pre-season test starts in Bahrain on 26 February.

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