Novak Djokovic’s reign at the Australian Open came to a shocking end on Friday as Jannik Sinner stunned the nine-time champion in a thrilling four-set semifinal. This 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(6-8), 6-3 victory not only marks Sinner’s first Grand Slam final appearance but also guarantees a new Australian Open champion on Sunday.
Sinner, a 22-year-old Italian prodigy, dominated the opening sets, exposing Djokovic’s uncharacteristic lack of precision. The Serb, who hadn’t lost at Melbourne Park since 2018, accumulated 29 unforced errors compared to Sinner’s eight. This aggressive display put Djokovic on the back foot, securing Sinner a commanding 2-0 lead within just over an hour.
Djokovic attempted a comeback in the third set, tightening his game and forcing the match into a tie-break. A glimmer of hope emerged for Djokovic fans as he mirrored his heroics from the 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinals, saving a match point and winning the tie-break.
However, Sinner refused to be fazed. He broke Djokovic’s serve in the fourth set and never relinquished control, sealing the biggest win of his young career. This victory extends Sinner’s impressive record against Djokovic, winning three of their last four encounters.
“It was a very, very tough match,” Sinner admitted afterward. “He missed a lot for two sets, so I just tried to keep pushing.” Djokovic, known for his composure, surprisingly acknowledged the dominance of his opponent. “He outplayed me completely today,” he stated bluntly, calling it “one of the worst Grand Slam matches” he’s ever played.
In the other semifinal, Daniil Medvedev displayed remarkable resilience, overcoming a two-set deficit against Alexander Zverev. The five-set battle, lasting over four hours, tested the endurance of both players. Zverev initially controlled the match, but Medvedev persevered, clawing his way back through tie-breaks in the third and fourth sets. A crucial break in the fifth secured his victory, propelling him into his sixth Grand Slam final.
“I was a little bit lost,” confessed Medvedev, “but I started fighting till the end.” This fighting spirit will be crucial as he faces Sinner on Sunday. While Medvedev holds a 6-3 head-to-head advantage, Sinner’s relative freshness after shorter matches could be a deciding factor.
With both finalists seeking their maiden Grand Slam title, Sunday’s Australian Open final promises to be a historic and thrilling encounter.
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