Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner LIVE: Australian Open 2024 scores and results
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Novak Djokovic blows kiss to Nick Kyrgios after winning point against Fritz
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 and Alexander Zverev renew their rivalry as they meet at a grand slam for the first time. Zverev produced a sensational performance to defeat Carlos Alcaraz while Medvedev required another five-set epic to outlast Hubert Hurkacz. Zverev has faced off-court scrutiny regarding his forthcoming domestic abuse trial – he denies the allegations – and is bidding to reach his first Australian Open final.
Follow live scores, updates and results from the Australian Open below:
Australian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
Incredibly, Medvedev and Zverev have played each other 18 times but this is their first meeting at a grand slam.
Medvedev has had the edge in the head-to-head recently. They played each other seven times last year and Medvedev won six of them.
Both players have come through two five-setters on their way to the semi-final.
This could be a long one too.
(AP)
Jamie Braidwood26 January 2024 08:36
Australian Open LIVE
An honest Novak Djokovic reflects on his defeat to Jannik Sinner and says it is “one of the worst grand slam matches” he’s ever played.
“Well, first I want to congratulate Sinner for playing a great match, great tournament so far. He’s deservedly in the finals. He outplayed me completely today.
“Look, I was, in a way, shocked with my level, you know, in a bad way. There was not much I was doing right in the first two sets (smiling).
“Yeah, I guess this is one of the worst Grand Slam matches I’ve ever played. At least that I remember.
“Yeah, not a very pleasant feeling playing this way. But at the same time, you know, credit to him for doing everything better than me, you know, in every aspect of the game.
“I tried, I fought. I managed to kind of raise the level a little bit in the third,…
Read More: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner LIVE: Australian Open 2024 scores and results 2024-01-26 08:28:43