Adrian Mannarino denies Ben Shelton a Novak Djokovic rematch with another five-set win

Calling Novak Djokovic—your fourth-round opponent at the Australian Open has been confirmed.

Here’s the 411: it’s not Ben Shelton.

Adrian Mannarino cut the cord on the projected US Open semifinal rematch Friday evening when the No. 20 seed outlasted the 16th-seeded Shelton in four hours and 46 minutes to match his 2023 result in Melbourne. The Frenchman improved his extraordinary career fifth-set record to 14-3, adding to his opening-round victory over 2014 champ Stan Wawrinka and second-round win against Jaume Munar.

Djokovic had earlier produced his most straightforward win of the tournament while Mannarino and Shelton were battling on Kia Arena. After dropping the second sets in his opening two rounds, the world No. 1 got the job done in straights against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (2), on Rod Laver Arena.

"I'm really relieved and glad that I played the way I played and felt the way I felt tonight. Definitely much better than what was the case in the first two matches," Djokovic said in his post-match press conference.

The 24-time major winner did not face a break point against the 30th-seeded Etcheverry, who had eliminated sentimental favorites Andy Murray and Gael Monfils in comprehensive fashion coming into this clash. Though the Argentine hung on in set three by holding from 15-30 for 5-5, a 15-30 opening on Djokovic’s serve in the following game was not exploited. Djokovic located three consecutive first serves, showing off his variety with a backhand drop shot winner and backhand up the line bullet.

It seemingly closed the door for Etcheverry, as the 36-year-old launched the tie-break by winning an arousing point with a forehand winner on his way to seizing five of the first six points. The 10-time title holder then sealed the deal with an ace out wide, his 10^th of the night, to go with zero double faults.

"I haven't had a best out of the tournament in terms of the quality of tennis, but I'm in the fourth round," remarked Djokovic. "I believe that things will progress as the tournament goes on. That's the case tonight and today. Hopefully every day will be better."

Unlike Djokovic, Mannarino took the scenic route before pulling out a 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-4 win.

"That was really tough physically," Mannarino told press. "At some point I was just able to switch off my brain and stop thinking about the soreness that I would have. I was just trying to run, trying to get one more ball all the time."

The third set saw Mannarino erase a 1-3 deficit before having a chance to serve it out at 5-4. But he was broken at 15 and in the tie-break, a forehand unforced error and double fault on his first two service points proved insurmountable to overcome as Shelton raced to a 5-0 lead.

Regrouping, Mannarino wiped away a break point to open the fourth set. In the sixth game, Shelton donated four unforced errors to drop serve, a dip that his opponent would capitalize on in sending their clash to a decider.

After each held, Shelton fought off four break points in a stressful five-deuce game to stay in front. At 2-2, Mannarino made the 2023 quarterfinalist pay the price of not converting one of his four game points. Having missed his forehand target at the end of a taxing 27-shot rally to see a fifth break point in the set slip through the cracks, the 35-year-old finally broke through two points later when Shelton’s forehand on the run traveled well long.

Mannarino consolidated from 15-30 for 4-2, then enginerred the double break when Shelton dropped serve from 40-0. He would need the cushion, after the American cut the deficit to 4-5 and was encouraged by chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" Shelton was in position to reach 15-30 in the final game, but flubbed a forehand volley—and Mannarino brought it home from there.

"There was some really good moments, some other less good moments. You have to go through all these things when you play a five-set match," said Mannarino.

"I was actually impressed of how Ben improved. I played him last year, and I really feel like he's been improving a lot. He was playing really well. I feel like I played a good match, too."