Swiatek will face No. 19 Madison Keys of the U.S. on Thursday night for a berth in the final. The other women’s semifinal is No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, against her good friend, No. 11 Paula Badosa.

World No.1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek, Elina Svitolina, Elena Rybakina and other big players will be in action on Day 9 of the hard court major at the Melbourne Park.

Ben Shelton, 22, has slowly been rising up the rankings - having reached the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park in 2023 and the US Open semi-finals last year. He comes from a properly tennis family. His Dad Bryan Shleton won two ATP titles, while his mum Lisa Witsken Shelton boasts a fine junior record.