Jannik Sinner is geared up to pour his heart and soul into the Australian Open semi-final clash against world no. 1 and defending champion, Novak Djokovic! The Italian phenom enjoyed a career-defining season in 2023, showcasing an elevated level of play that propelled him into the top-4 with consistent performances in the latter part of the year. Having secured two victories over Novak at the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup Finals, Sinner enters the semi-final with heightened confidence, eagerly anticipating the challenge in Djokovic’s dominion at Rod Laver Arena this Friday. While acknowledging Novak’s incredible Australian Open track record, Jannik is prepared to lay it all on the line against his formidable opponent, as he seeks to secure a coveted spot in his first Major final.
Sinner is yet to lose a set in Melbourne this year, beating five rivals in straight sets and gaining a boost against Andrey Rublev in the quarter-final. Novak needed a couple of days to find the rhythm at his favorite Major, struggling with a minor virus and beating Dino Prizmic and Alexei Popyrin in four sets. Djokovic raised his level against Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Adrian Mannarino, delivering a double bagel against the Frenchman in the fourth round and entering the last eight. The Serb had to dig deep in the opening two sets against Taylor Fritz in sunny conditions, with two rivals battling for two hours and 23 minutes. They split the sets, and Djokovic took charge in the third and fourth to book a place in his 11th Australian Open semi-final.
Novak Djokovic & Jannik Sinner, ATP Finals 2023© Valerio Pennicino / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
The Serb broke the American four times and produced another rock-solid performance behind the initial shot to remain on the title course. Novak prevailed over Jannik in last year’s Wimbledon semi-final, and they embraced three encounters at the season’s closing events, with the Italian winning two. Sinner conquered Toronto, Beijing and Vienna, heading to the ATP Finals at home in Turin as world no. 4. Jannik and Novak met in the second round-robin clash and the Italian earned his first victory over the Serb, prevailing 7-5, 6-7, 7-6 in three hours and eight minutes. They fired 35 aces and earned only six break points. The Italian lost serve once and grabbed two breaks, prevailing in the pivotal moments to emerge at the top.
Novak Djokovic will meet Jannik Sinner for the seventh time in Melbourne.
After ten solid holds at the beginning of the match, Novak opened a 40-0 lead at 5-5. Jannik stepped in and clinched five straight points to deliver a break and move in front. The home favorite held at love in game 12, securing the opener and gaining confidence. Nothing separated them in the second set, with the servers offering no chances to the returners. Sinner sprayed a forehand error at 4-5 in the tie break, allowing Djokovic to wrap up the set with a service winner and introduce a decider. Jannik scored a break in the final set’s sixth game, moving 4-2 up and closer to the finish line. Novak stayed calm and pulled it back in the next one, returning to the positive side and arranging another tie break. Jannik played with confidence and fired a service winner for 5-0.
Jannik Sinner, Australian Open 2024© Daniel Pockett / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
He sealed the deal with a smash winner at 6-2, earning his first victory over Novak. Djokovic and Sinner passed the following obstacles and booked a place in the title clash. The Serb turned the tables and toppled the Italian 6-3, 6-3, lifting his seventh ATP Finals trophy at 36. Jannik did not feel 100% physically, and Novak took full advantage of that, dominating on serve and return. Djokovic saved two break points and kept the pressure on the other side. Sinner could not match those numbers, losing serve three times and settling for the runner-up trophy. They embraced their next duel six days later, leading Italy and Serbia in the Davis Cup Finals semi-final. Novak missed a massive chance to beat Jannik and propel Serbia into the final, wasting three match points at 5-4 in the decider and suffering a heartbreaking 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 loss. The opening two sets saw no real battle, with both players dominating one and introducing a decider.
Sinner made a flying start, serving well in the first set and stealing Djokovic’s serve two times. Novak raised his level in the second set, losing four points behind the initial shot and delivering two breaks to prolong the battle. Sinner saved a break point in the second game and faced another at 3-4. The Italian saved it with a forehand drive-volley winner and produced a crucial hold for 4-4. Novak left that chance behind and held at love in game nine for 5-4. The Serb pushed strong on the return in game ten and created three match points. Sinner kept his composure and denied them with brave hitting, climbing back to deuce and firing two powerful serves for 5-5 and a boost.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Julian Finney / Staff – Getty Images Sport
The Italian clinched a decisive break with a forehand down the line winner in game 11 and held in the next one to wrap up the win and keep his country alive ahead of the deciding doubles clash. Sinner and Djokovic will play their first outdoor hard encounter in Melbourne, setting a mouth-watering duel that should candidate itself for one of the matches of the tournament if they both bring their A-game.
“Challenging the rivals from the top is what I practice for. Novak’s Australian Open record is incredible. Facing him is a pleasure to me, especially in the closing stages of a Major, and I’m looking forward to it. It will be a tough match, and I can only promise to try everything and bring the fighting spirit. I will prepare the best I can and step onto the court with the right attitude and desire to chase every ball. We will see the outcome,” Jannik Sinner said.
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