Novak Djokovic blows a kiss to Nick Kyrgios after winning the point over Fritz
Novak Djokovic faces the toughest test of his Australian Open title defense yet, as ten-time champion Jannik Sinner faces fourth seed in a thrilling semi-final clash. Djokovic has never lost an Australian Open semi-final, winning every tournament in which he has reached the final, but Sinner enters the encounter in top form.
The Italian has yet to drop a set and has won two of his previous three meetings with Djokovic, including a thrilling Davis Cup semi-final win in November. Djokovic beat Sinner in straight sets in the Wimbledon semi-finals last season, but the 22-year-old has improved dramatically and Melbourne Park may be preparing for a classic.
In the other semi-final match, the rivalry between Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev is renewed, as they meet in one of the four major tournaments for the first time. Zverev produced an impressive performance to defeat Carlos Alcaraz while Medvedev needed another five-set epic to get the better of Hubert Hurkacz. Zverev has faced off-court scrutiny in connection with his upcoming domestic violence trial – he denies the accusations – and is bidding to reach his first Australian Open final.
Follow live scores, updates and results from the Australian Open below:
Australian Open Live: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
* Djokovic 1-6, 2-6, 7-6, 1-4 Sinner
Sinner survives a tense game while still not seeing a breaking point! His serves remain strong, especially wide, and he sticks to them.
Jimmy BraidwoodJanuary 26, 2024 at 06:55
Australian Open Live: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
* Djokovic 1-6, 2-6, 7-6, 1-3 Sinner
Sinner was not broken throughout the match or faced a break point.
The Italian gets off to a confident start as he covers the cover wonderfully and prevents Djokovic from missing the drop shot!
30-0. The winner crushed a forehand from Djokovic down the line.
Now Djokovic is increasing his power with his backhand! 30-30.
The sinner is hanging behind the second serve. 40-30. But then Djokovic plants it back to the baseline and nets the foul! It denotes. Djokovic has rarely gotten this far on Sinner's serve game.
It's a great second serve from Sinner – and he follows it up with a forehand winner! However, Djokovic again holds on too deep from Djokovic and gets back into par.
Jimmy BraidwoodJanuary 26, 2024 at 06:50
Australian Open Live: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 7-6 1-3 Sinner – Breaks Sinner!
Wow… Sinner works his way from 40-0 after putting a brilliant shot past Djokovic into the net.
Suddenly he became the devil… and Djokovic double-faulted!
Break point! From 40-0 and above??
Djokovic goes long on the backhand!!
unbelievable! I don't think anyone saw that coming!
Jimmy BraidwoodJanuary 26, 2024 06:46
Australian Open Live: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
* Djokovic 1-6, 2-6, 7-6, 1-2 Sinner
Sinner shakes off another powerful hold when he pairs the first serve with a powerful volley. There's a shadow now gradually creeping across Rod Laver Arena – as we approach the fourth hour of the contest.
Jimmy BraidwoodJanuary 26, 2024 at 06:40
Australian Open Live: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 7-6 1-1 Sinner*
An early opportunity for the sinner! Djokovic fires a powerful shot home before Sinner slides in to direct a passing shot down the line and move to 0-30.
Djokovic finds first serve, but as happened in the first two sets, Sinner takes control of the match. Djokovic goes long!
Two break points: It's great defending from Sinner but Djokovic finally finds a way to break through with a forehand.
Another breaking point: Ace Djokovic!
However, he cannot get out of the danger zone, Djokovic slips and puts another shot into the net and this is another break point for Sinner.
Another good serve from Djokovic – Sinner can't answer wide. The hero is better served now.
Great depth from Djokovic on the forehand – Sinner's backhand causes another error, and this is a big fist.
Jimmy BraidwoodJanuary 26, 2024 06:32
Australian Open Live: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
* Djokovic 1-6, 2-6, 7-6, 0-1 Sinner
Sinner won 89% of his first serve points in the third set and still faces a break point in the match. He once again held serve comfortably to start the fourth game.
Jimmy BraidwoodJanuary 26, 2024 06:29
Australian Open Live: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 7-6 Siner*
Djokovic left the court and took a long break before the start of the fourth game.
It's a different game now… Sinner will start.
Jimmy BraidwoodJanuary 26, 2024 at 06:25
Australian Open Live: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 7-6 Sinner – Djokovic wins the third set!
Now Djokovic presses Sinner's backhand… it goes into the net and Sinner has the angle of the pass, but it goes wide! 7-6 and a set point for Djokovic.
Faulty blink! His backhand is long and Djokovic is back at it! He won the tiebreaker and took the third set for 76 minutes to stay alive!
Djokovic raises his fist in front of the audience! He knows the match has only just begun.
Jimmy BraidwoodJanuary 26, 2024 06:16
Australian Open Live: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 6-6 Sinner* Tie break!
Amazing recovery from a sinner! He was pushed wide by Djokovic's forehand but covered the angle well and fought his way back into the rally with a backhand! Suddenly it was 4-4.
And now a sinner takes charge! Djokovic leaves the ball short and Sinner steps in to send the forehand wide! He leads 5-4 with two serves coming in!
The foul presses into the net… Will this be match point? no! Djokovic produces a forehand that lands inside the baseline!
5-5! Huge serve from Sinner and he has match point! 6-5. But Djokovic serves.
Djokovic saves! Sinner pressures Djokovic's backhand but Djokovic finds good depth and nets Sinner!
Jimmy BraidwoodJanuary 26, 2024 06:12
Australian Open Live: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 6-6 Sinner* Tie break!
Oh. That's nervous again from Sinner on the backhand! He finds the back of the net and Djokovic gets a mini-break to go up 2-0 in the tie-break.
Sinner finds the big first serve and then delivers an excellent return to trip Djokovic at the back of the court. The mini-break has been restored.
Winning forehand from Djokovic! This was not simply happening in the early stages: he found the necessary angle to beat Sinner in the duel. 3-2.
A forehand kick into the net from a sinner! Djokovic has his teeth into this now. 4-2 in change.
Jimmy BraidwoodJanuary 26, 2024 06:06