Novak Djokovic calls Jannik Sinner loss one of his worst grand slam performances
Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open title defence is over after a stunning four-sets defeat to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. Djokovic had been unbeaten at the Australian Open since 2018 and was on a 33-match winning run in Melbourne but Sinner advanced to his first grand slam final with a remarkable 6-1 6-2 6-7 6-3 victory against the 10-time champion.
Djokovic was bidding for a 25th grand slam title this week but in Sinner, the 36-year-old faced a player who had beaten him in two of their previous three meetings at the end of last season. The 22-year-old Italian dominated the opening exchanges to blitz an out-of-sorts Djokovic in two one-sided sets.
The third set was closer and Djokovic threatened the comeback after saving a match point to clinch the tiebreak. But Sinner responded to force the most uncharacteristic of games from Djokovic, with the Serbian being broken from 40-0 up midway through the fourth set. Sinner’s excellent serve stayed strong down the stretch to close out a historic victory.
In the other semi-final, Daniil Medvedev came from two sets down to defeat Alexander Zverev and reach his third Australian Open final. Medvedev looked beaten at two sets down but won two tiebreaks in a row to claim a 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 6-3 victory in over hour hours. He will bid for a second grand slam title against Sinner on Sunday.
Follow live scores, updates and results from the Australian Open below:
Australian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 6-3 Zverev
Medvedev has now come from two sets down twice in this tournament and today was his third five-setter. He has spent more than 20 hours and 33 minutes on court!
Sinner and Medvedev played each other five times last season, Medvedev won the first two, Sinner won the next three. This will be their first grand slam meeting .
Jamie Braidwood26 January 2024 13:19
Australian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 6-3 Zverev
There’s a handshake between the players at the net after Medvedev shushed the crowd. Medvedev continues his dominance over Zverev in this head-to-head but at two sets down the thought of that appeared a million miles away.
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood26 January 2024 13:12
Australian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 6-3 Zverev
ONE OF THE CRAZIEST COMEBACKS YOU WILL EVER SEE!
Zverev clips the net with his forehand – his unravelling will take a long time to get over – but Medvedev’s resilience and heart to come back from two sets down, after being outplayed and dragged around the court, was remarkable.
He’s through to his third Aussie Open final and will face Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final.
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood26 January 2024 13:07
Australian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 5-3 Zverev*
He was two points from the final, on serve, but now can’t stop the flow on errors. Forehand and backhand errors get Medvedev to 0-30.
Brave shot from Zverev to take on the forehand down the line and he clips the paint! 30-30.
But another error from Zverev, this one on the backhand, gives Medvedev match point!
Jamie Braidwood26 January 2024 13:04
Australian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 5-3 Zverev*
Can Zverev get it here? There’s an error from Medvedev on the opening point but then Zverev overreaches on the forehand, shanking wide. Zverev forehand. Net. Zverev backhand. Long. Zverev backhand. Net.
Medvedev couldn’t buy a first serve but four errors in a row from Zverev means he gets away with it.
Jamie Braidwood26 January 2024 13:03
Australian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 4-3 Zverev
There’s another slight wobble Zverev but he steadies himself to hold. Now the German needs a break for the first time since the second set.
Jamie Braidwood26 January 2024 12:59
Australian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 4-2 Zverev*
Nerves from both players now! Medvedev netted as Zverev got a look at 30-30, but then made another unforced on his forehand!
Zverev with the chance at the net… he nets! This is all going wrong for Zverev… so many misses. Medvedev has forced it.
Jamie Braidwood26 January 2024 12:56
Australian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 3-2 Zverev – Medvedev breaks!
Medvedev, that’s a joke! A stunner of a backhand pass clips the outside of the line!
Break point number three: Zverev nets on the forehand!
After four hours, Medvedev leads for the very first time in this match! Incredible.
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood26 January 2024 12:51
Australian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 2-2 Zverev
Zverev’s getting tight again: a volley is slumped into the net and then he puts a forehand wide!
A chance for Medvevev! Zverev’s serve is wide and he follows in… only to put the volley at the net wide!
WHAT A MISS! Zverev whacks the net twice in anger.
Two break points: Zverev sends Medvedev running on the first and slaps away the smash. One saved.
Another big serve from Zverev. This time he makes the volley. He pumps his fist. A big save.
Jamie Braidwood26 January 2024 12:48
Australian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 1-2 Zverev
Zverev’s serve comes alive again at the start of the fifth. He barely dropped a point on serve in the fourth… apart from the end of the tiebreak.
Jamie Braidwood26 January 2024 12:42
