Defending champion Jannik Sinner shattered home hopes Wednesday by crushing Alex de Minaur in a straight-sets rout to tee up an Australian Open semi-final against Ben Shelton.

It's the biggest match of Alex de Minaur's career – an Australian Open quarter-final against reigning champion and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.De Minaur has never been to the last four in a major and will have to overcome a 0-9 head-to-head record against the Italian champion.

A semi-final against American Ben Shelton – the lowest-ranked player left in the draw – looms for Sinner, who will avoid 10-time champion Novak Djokovic and second seed Alexander Zverev in the last four. That draw and this performance has brought him tantalisingly close to defending his Australian Open crown.

Alex de Minaur said a humbling defeat by Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Wednesday felt like a slap across the face after a period of improvement in which he emerged as his nation's best hope of ending a major drought.

Sporting venues develop a certain mood. As though the emotions of the attendees start bouncing off the walls. The buzz around Melbourne Park is palpable and pulsating when Alex de Minaur steps onto Rod Laver Arena for his Australian Open quarter-final against Jannik Sinner.

Alex de Minaur is facing off with top seed and defending champion Jannik Sinner for a spot in the Australian Open semifinals against American Ben Shelton. Follow live.

Top seed and defending champion Jannik Sinner crushes the hopes of home favourite Alex de Minaur to set up an Australian Open semi-final date with American Ben Shelton; watch all the action from the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+,

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner cruised to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 quarterfinal triumph against home favourite Alex de Minaur to keep alive his hopes of lifting back-to-back titles at the hard-court major

Defending champion Jannik Sinner defeats Alex de Minaur to reach Australian Open semi-finals, aiming for third major trophy.

Tennis Focus, Hot Topics Jannik Sinner powered into the Australian Open semi-finals, where he faces Ben Shelton.

Highlights of the Men's Quarter-final 4 match between Jannik Sinner and Alex de Minaur taking place at Melbourne Park, Melbourne