Ben Shelton relieved after reaching maiden Australian Open semifinal

The American 21st seed will face either defending champion Jannik Sinner or Australia's Alex de Minaur for a place in the final at Melbourne Park.

In a battle of the big serves, Shelton had the edge over his unseeded Italian opponent for the first two sets but Sonego fought back before the American reasserted his dominance to close out the match.

The 22-year-old Shelton said after the victory: "I'm relieved right now. Shout-out to Lorenzo because that was some ridiculous tennis.

"I'm just really happy to be through, getting my first win here on Rod Laver."

The 29-year-old Sonego had come into the contest having knocked out 2014 Australian Open winner Stan Wawrinka in round one before beating NextGen champion Joao Fonseca, 18, in a five-set epic.

In the fourth round the Italian overcame 19-year-old Learner Tien, who had beaten three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev.

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