Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner: Semifinal Showdown 2024

Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner: Novak Djokovic, the 10-time champion, has proven time and time again that he is the master of the Australian Open. Whenever he triumphs in a quarterfinal match at Melbourne Park, like he did against Taylor Fritz on Tuesday, he goes on to claim the title.

His semifinal opponents are often faced with daunting odds. This is especially true for Jannik Sinner, the fourth seed, who had to battle against Andrey Rublev in a quarterfinal that started late at night and ended in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Djokovic secured his place in the record books by reaching his 48th Grand Slam semifinal, a feat that no other player has achieved. He defeated Fritz in a grueling match that lasted 3 hours and 45 minutes, winning 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. The match was delayed due to the lengthy women’s quarterfinal between Coco Gauff and Marta Kostyuk.

During an on-court interview with Australian player Nick Kyrgios, who is currently sidelined with an injury, Djokovic lightened the mood by joking about grabbing some popcorn and tuning in to watch the late-night clash between Sinner and Rublev.

During his later press conference, Djokovic emphasized that Sinner’s late finish would not have any impact on the upcoming semifinals. He dismissed the notion of having an advantage due to the two-day break, stating that it did not hold much significance in his eyes.

Sinner’s remarkable comeback in the second-set tiebreaker, where he won six consecutive points after being down 5-1, shifted the momentum in his favor and ultimately led to his victory with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-3. In his on-court interview, Sinner expressed gratitude to the spectators for staying until the late hour, emphasizing his pleasure in playing on that particular court regardless of the time.

Having previously lost to Djokovic in the Wimbledon semifinals last year, Sinner acknowledged the privilege of facing the world’s number one player in one of the most prestigious tournaments. He also highlighted Djokovic’s success at the Australian Open, recognizing his multiple victories at the event.

Notably, Sinner has yet to drop a set in the tournament, showcasing his exceptional form. On the other hand, Djokovic has spent more time on court during the first five rounds of the Australian Open than ever before at Melbourne Park, accumulating over 15 hours of play. Despite this, Djokovic believes he is still building momentum and remains confident. He holds a 33-match winning streak at the Australian Open, a record he shares with his childhood idol, Monica Seles.

The opening game of their match lasted a lengthy 16 minutes, and the first set extended to 1 hour and 24 minutes. Fritz managed to secure the first break of serve, putting Djokovic on the defensive until the third set.

Djokovic credited Fritz for his exceptional performance, acknowledging his clear game plan and sharpness on the court. The first couple of sets proved to be a struggle for Djokovic, but he found his rhythm in the third set, hitting the ball with more power and regaining his confidence. His serve also improved significantly in the third and fourth sets after a lackluster performance in the initial stages of the match.

Fritz successfully defended against the first 15 break points he faced, an extraordinary achievement considering he was up against one of the greatest returners in the game.

“I struggled to convert my opportunities, but when it really mattered, I managed to break him,” Djokovic commented. “I elevated my performance from the middle of the third set until the very end.”

Right from the beginning, the opening game set the stage for a grueling and lengthy match. It consisted of 24 points and went to deuce nine times.

This resulted in the longest first set of the entire tournament.

After Fritz held his serve in the 11th game, Djokovic appeared visibly frustrated during the changeover, signaling to his support team and requesting salts.

However, Djokovic managed to hold his serve and took the set to a tiebreaker. In a remarkable display, he concluded a 21-shot rally with a breathtaking backhand crosscourt winner, earning himself five set points. He celebrated by pointing to his ear, nodding his head, and blowing a kiss towards a commentary box located at the back of the court.

In the second set, it was Fritz who secured the first service break, successfully defending against eight break points in the previous set.

Fritz continued to impress by saving an additional seven break point opportunities in the second set, mostly through clean winners. He maintained his break advantage, ultimately leveling the match at one set apiece and concluding the set with an ace.

Despite facing significant resistance, Fritz’s resolve was ultimately shattered in the second game of the third set when Djokovic capitalized on his 16th opportunity. Djokovic further broke Fritz’s serve, without conceding a single point, in the ninth game, swiftly concluding the third set in a mere 38 minutes.

As the fourth set unfolded, there was a back-and-forth exchange of breaks until Djokovic successfully served it out from a 5-3 advantage, extending his flawless record against Fritz to 9-0 in their career head-to-head matches.

Reflecting on the match, Fritz expressed his concern about the late start for Sinner and Rublev, acknowledging the challenges it would pose for whoever advanced. The issue of scheduling had been a topic of discussion in the locker rooms, particularly after Daniil Medvedev’s second-round match, which commenced after 11 p.m. and concluded close to 4 a.m. Fritz emphasized the time-consuming process of post-match physiotherapy, treatment, and recovery, which significantly hampers the ability to get sufficient sleep.

“The disruption completely throws off your entire routine,” Fritz lamented. “My thoughts and prayers go out to those guys.”