Mathieu Warnier, Media365: published on Wednesday January 22, 2025 at 4:25 p.m.
If he saw the doors of the last four of the Australian Open close in front of him, Lorenzo Sonego will have left his mark during his match against Ben Shelton with a point won on a volley from elsewhere.
Lorenzo Sonego will not have lost everything. This Wednesday, the Italian player lost in four sets to Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals of the men's singles at the Australian Open. A lively meeting during which the 55th player in the world stood out with a point won in a very spectacular way in the first game of the second round. After a first ball at 201 km/h from the Transalpine, the American was able to initiate the rally and, on a cross forehand in full swing, he thought he had done the hardest part. But Lorenzo Sonego was determined to defend his chances in every possible way. In a total extension, the native of Turin was able to return the ball towards Ben Shelton's half of the field with the end of his racket. The result was a retro effect that took everyone by surprise, especially the number 21 seed in the tournament.
Sonego had already made a name for himself
Indeed, after bouncing on the other side of the net, the ball headed back towards the field defended by Lorenzo Sonego. Which did not allow the American to defend his chances. A masterful shot which was all the more important for the Italian as it allowed him to save a break point. After saving a second, he was able to hold his serve but that did not allow him to compete with an opponent who ended up having the last word. “I congratulate Lorenzo Sonego because we played extraordinary tennis,” said Ben Shelton after the match. A completely crazy point which, however, was not the first for Lorenzo Sonego in this first Grand Slam lift of the 2025 season. Indeed, on the occasion of his entry into the running against Stan Wawrinka, he also had him stand up the crowd with a stroke of genius. With his back to the net and in full retreat towards his baseline, he placed a cross shot which fooled the Swiss' vigilance. He then took his opponent's serve before winning the third set straight away.
