Jannik Sinner has given an update on the elbow injury he picked up early in his fourth-round match on Monday. The world No. 1 dropped two sets to Grigor Dimitrov and only advanced when the Bulgarian suddenly retired injured in the middle of the third set.

Sinner was a doubt to even take to the court after having an MRI scan on Tuesday and practising away from the cameras for just 20 minutes before cancelling another training session. But it was back to normal programming for the three-time Major winner as he breezed past Ben Shelton 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4, and he confirmed he’d made a rapid improvement.

The 23-year-old took to No. 1 Court with a long sleeve on his right arm, while there was extra strapping visible underneath. But he hit just one unforced error in the first set and only showed signs of discomfort once during the second set.

Sinner stretched out his elbow and looked up at his coaching box with concern after missing a couple of forehands. But he soon broke to take the second set, and got the job done in straights.

Asked whether he had been playing through any pain, the top seed said: “Yeah I mean, you know, when you are in match with a lot of tension, you try to not think about it.

“It has improved a lot from yesterday to today. Yesterday, my day was very short on the practice court, 20 mins with the coaches. But in the other way, I’m looking forward to it.

“This is no excuse so there is no better stage to play tennis and I think I showed this today. Again, the atmosphere helps me so much, so thank you again for the support.”

Sinner was on the verge of suffering a huge upset on Monday night, trailing Dimitrov by two sets to love when the 34-year-old injured his pec and retired with tears in his eyes. At the time, the Italian said he didn’t see it as a win. But his match against Shelton was a different story.

“Yeah, of course, feelings after definitely different,” he told the crowd. “I am very, very happy about today’s performance.

“Paying against him is so difficult. You have chances and then he serves very well, as we saw in the last game. Overall, we play each other now more and more, we got to know each other a little bit better.

“I’m looking forward for these kinds of battles and it’s even more special to play in front of you guys, it’s an honour and amazing feeling, thank you.”

Sinner is now through to his second Wimbledon semi-final. He faces either Novak Djokovic or Flavio Cobolli for a spot in his first final here.

Reflecting on his first Grand Slam semi-final appearance here two years ago, he said: “Ii remember the first time playing on Centre Court, I do remember the first time playing semi-final here and it’s very, very special so I’m of course looking forward to it.

“But in the other way, I believe especially when you’re young 22, 23, 24 one tear, it makes such a difference because you get more into big stages, you get used to it.

“Obviously it feels so, so amazing, Wimbledon is the most special tournament we have throughout the calendar and being again in the last four is special to me.”

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