Ryan Harrison explains what he found 'confusing' about Jannik Sinner's match with Ben Shelton at the Paris Masters

Jannik Sinner advanced to the semifinals of the Paris Masters for the first time in his career after defeating Ben Shelton in straight sets.

Despite struggling physically, Sinner beat Shelton 6-3, 6-3, to reach the final four at the last ATP Masters 1000 event of the season.

The Italian, who admitted he has not felt fresh since the Vienna Open final, has yet to drop a set in the French capital.

Against Shelton, Sinner faced just one break point and tallied a first serve win percentage of 80% throughout the contest.

It was an impressive display from the world number two, which former American tennis player Ryan Harrison was left ‘confused’ by.

Ryan Harrison reacts to Jannik Sinner’s win against Ben Shelton

Reacting to the match on Sky Sports, Harrison said: “I think it was disappointing from the Shelton camp, but you can’t fault him because Sinner played unbelievable tennis throughout.

“He was returning particularly well on the second serve. Any time he missed a first serve, Shelton was really struggling in the rallies, and any time they got into an extended rally going.

“It was a little bit confusing because early on in the match, it looked like Sinner was struggling physically, so I would have liked to see Big Ben stay in those rallies a bit longer.

“When Sinner gets rolling and the way he strikes the ball, he is just a lot better in the rallies.”

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Ben Shelton’s coach, Bryan Shelton, was asked about Sinner’s physical issues during the match.

Harrison explained: “When we talked to Bryan Shelton, he said that we are not playing that too much.

“He was bending over, hitting his knees, and he gives you the impression things aren’t going his way. But the very next point, he is running side to side and playing physical points.

“That is what Bryan Shelton was alluding to, he said we are not paying that much mind. As soon as the point is going, that is what we are focused on, and that is where Sinner was so good.”

Jannik Sinner’s semifinal opponent at the Paris Masters

In the semifinals of the Paris Masters, Sinner will take on Alexander Zverev in a rematch of the Vienna Open final.

The German suffered a third consecutive defeat to Sinner in Austria, with the head-to-head now tied at 4-4.

The four-time major champion has emerged victorious in both of their 2025 bouts, the first of which came in the Australian Open final.

Zverev last clinched a victory over Sinner in the fourth round of the 2023 US Open, where he came out on top after a five-set marathon.

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