Australian Open: Novak Djokovic’s bid for 25th Grand Slam ended by Jannik Sinner in semi-finals | Tennis News

Jannik Sinner announces himself as a major force in stunning fashion by becoming the first player in six years to defeat Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open; the Italian is through to Sunday’s final where he will play the winner of match between Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev


Novak Djokovic’s bid for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title was ended with a spectacular 6-1 6-2 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 defeat to Italian Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Friday.

The Serb had been hoping to claim the record for most Grand Slam singles titles outright after sharing it with Australian Margaret Court since winning his 24th major at the US Open last September, but Sinner announced himself as a Grand Slam force in stunning fashion.

Sinner was seen as the most likely rival to stop Djokovic claiming an 11th title in Melbourne ahead of the tournament after beating him twice in two weeks at the end of last season at the ATP Finals and Davis Cup.

But surely no one would have predicted the manner of the first two sets, with an error-strewn Djokovic winning just three games.

Unbelievable Sinner

Jannik Sinner has become the FIRST Italian tennis player EVER, male or female, to reach the final of the Australian Open.

At 22, Sinner is the youngest Australian Open men’s singles finalist since Novak Djokovic in 2008.

Djokovic vs Sinner: Tale of the Tape

Djokovic Match Stats Sinner
7 Aces 9
4 Double Faults 1
67% 1st serve win percentage 83%
46% 2nd serve win percentage 63%
18/23 Net points won 15/18
0/0 Break points won 5/11
32 Total winners 31
54 Unforced errors 28
98 Total points won 128

He saved a match point in the third-set tie-break to give himself hope but there was no dramatic comeback, with Sinner regrouping impressively and going on to clinch a remarkable victory after three hours and 22 minutes.

The 22-year-old Italian said: “It was a very, very tough match. I started off really well, he missed for two sets, I felt like he was not feeling that great on court. I just tried to keep pushing.

“In the third set I had match point, I had the forehand which I missed but that’s tennis. I just tried to be ready for the fourth set.

“I was looking forward for this match. It’s always nice to have this kind of player where you can learn from. I lost last year in the semis at Wimbledon and I learned a lot from that match.

“The confidence from the end of last year has for sure kept the belief that I can play against the best players in the world. I’m really happy that I can play my first final and let’s see how it goes.”

2195 days ago…

Novak Djokovic lost his first match at the Australian Open since R4 in 2018 when he lost to Hyeon Chung, 2195 days ago – he won 33 consecutive matches in this span equalling the longest winning streak at the Australian Open in the Open Era.

Sinner, the first Italian to make an Australian Open singles final, had not dropped a set all tournament, and he started as he meant to go on, breaking the Djokovic serve to lead 2-0 with a searing forehand followed by a drive volley winner.

By contrast, nothing was working for Djokovic, with routine shots landing in the net or out of court, while he was also struggling on serve.

Sinner broke again to lead 5-1 and wrapped up the first set with just over half an hour gone.

Djokovic is a master at pacing himself in best-of-five-sets tennis and he would certainly not have panicked having lost only two of the last 17 Grand Slam matches in which he dropped the first set.

But the pattern of the match continued in the same vein, with more Djokovic errors helping Sinner break for 2-1 in the second set.

Not ONE single break point

This was this first completed match at a Grand Slam in Novak Djokovic’s career where he did not forge a single break point chance (0 in 19 receiving games).

The result was, of course, a shock given Djokovic’s incredible record here – this is the first time he has ever lost having made it beyond the quarter-finals – but it was his display that was the most surprising.

He committed 54 unforced errors and did not even make Sinner use his haymaker groundstrokes that often, the Italian instead able to maintain a very high but comfortable level and not face a single break point.

Robson: Sinner crashed the party I Henman: ‘Phenomenal’ achievement



Image:
Sinner handed Djokovic a first defeat at his Melbourne Park fortress in six years and power into his maiden Grand Slam final

Former British No 1 Laura Robson on Eurosport, said: “I’ll admit the atmosphere here in Melbourne was kind of muted actually, because there were certainly a lot of Djokovic fans around me. They had their flags; they were ready to celebrate.

“Sinner just crashed the party. He was outstanding from start to finish. I love that he didn’t get disappointed when he lost the match point chance in the third set. He just stayed committed to the game plan even more.

“It feels like we’ve felt this result coming, haven’t we, based on their meetings in the last few months at the back-end of last year [Sinner winning two of three]. But to do it in a best-of-five match at a Grand Slam is a completely different thing, so it’s just phenomenal.”

Tim Henman called Sinner’s effort phenomenal, saying: “When he had that match point in the third set, he got a little bit tight on the forehand.

“And, having lost a two-set lead against Djokovic at Wimbledon, you sort of think, ‘is history going to repeat itself?’ But he’s a better player, more mature and he didn’t panic.

“A phenomenal effort and phenomenal achievement. And I love the way he reacted after winning – there were no wild celebrations, because he views this as part of the journey. He wants to win his first slam.”

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