Sinner defeats the undefeated Djokovic to earn his first Grand Slam final
Djokovic, who has won 10 Grand Slams at Melbourne Park, was defeated by 6-1 6-2 6-7 (6-8) 6-3.
Sinner defeats the undefeated Djokovic to earn his first Grand Slam final!
4th Seeded Italian Jannik Sinner beat World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in a superb display of tennis on Friday to claim his maiden grand slam final with a seismic Australian Open victory by a 6-1 6-2 6-7 (6-8) 6-3.
It had also been six years since Djokovic had lost a match in Australia.
Sinner posted a model of consistency on the court and raced to a two sets love lead on Rod Laver Arena in impressive fashion.
This win by Sinner makes him the first Italian men’s player since the establishment of the ATP rankings in 1973 to beat a world No 1.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐀𝐊 𝐃𝐉𝐎𝐊𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐂 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐈-𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 🤯
Jannik Sinner makes history en route to reaching his first-ever Grand Slam final 👏#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/88MnpBVAmu
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 26, 2024
‘I think we play really similar,’ Sinner said post-match, ‘He’s such an incredible server, and I try to get him so many times.
‘Just trying to push, trying to move him – I’m not going to tell you the tactics!
‘I’m hopeful that I might play him in a couple of different matches, but it’s a pleasure to be here. They call it the happiest land for a reason.’
Asked about the feeling of making his first-ever major final, Sinner seemed overwhelmed with joy.
‘I don’t know what to say really,’ he began. ‘I started off with a couple of exhibition matches, trying to come here as prepared as possible.
‘The confidence from the end of last year has for sure kept the belief that I can play with the best players in the world. I’m really happy I can play Sunday my first final. Let’s see how it goes.
‘But I’m really happy. I come here with a smile. I’ll try my best.’
Meanwhile, Djokovic, cut a pessimistic figure as he described himself as ‘completely outplayed’.
‘He’s deservedly in the final,’ Djokovic said after the match. ‘
‘He outplayed me completely.’
‘Look, I was in a way shocked with my level.
‘(That was) one of the worst Grand Slam matches I’ve ever played, at least that I remember.’
