The Italian made history, getting his first career Slam final
Jannik Sinner simply exceptional. With an amazing performance, the Italian tennis player reached the final of the 2024 Australian Open. There were 33 consecutive matches, a very long series of victories and an incredible series of records.
But it wasn’t enough for Novak Djokovic to win the match. The 24-time Slam champion surrendered in four sets, after a mixed performance, just as his tournament was mixed. The Italian tennis player beat Novak Djokovic after a magnificent challenge, thus reaching his first final in a Grand Slam tournament.
A match that could have ended even earlier: Sinner had a match point in the third set tiebreak but Djokovic got a proud reaction. The Serbian won the third set and many believed in the champion’s usual reaction, the one that had seen Nole react with an extraordinary comeback several times.
Jannik Sinner made history: he beat Novak Djokovic in four sets
This time it didn’t go like that, at 1-2 and 40-0 for Djokovic Sinner didn’t give up and got a break which effectively ended the match.
A challenge always played at a very high level. Djokovic wasn’t the best but also and above all thanks to a spectacular performance by Jannik, who continues his magical moment and wins the third match against Nole in recent months.
The trend has changed since the beginning and Sinner is making history. The data on break points is impressive: Sinner did not concede a single break point against what is considered the greatest return in the history of tennis.
“It was a really tough match. I started very well in the first two sets. I had a feeling he wasn’t feeling well and I tried to push without thinking. I wasted a match point in the third set by missing a forehand, but that’s part of the game.
I wanted to be ready for the next set which started off great. I couldn’t wait to play this match. It’s nice and important to face a player like Nole, who can always teach you a lot,” said Jannik during the on court interview.
Below is the video of the match point shared by @quindicizero X account:
Sinner’s humility after beating Djokovic: his words an example for young players
The Italian champion explained in the press conference why he celebrated shortly after the victory, with words that exude wisdom and humility, despite his young age
Jannik Sinner is still very young, but he is giving without great wisdom and humility. A virtue that must be an example for very young athletes who are approaching tennis. Jannik beat Novak Djokovic in the first semifinal of the Australian Open 2024, following a sensational performance.
Djokovic really couldn’t do anything against the Italian talent and surrendered for the first time in his career in the Australian Slam semi-final. As mentioned, Jannik spoke with great wisdom in the press conference, explaining with great humility and respect why, at the end of the match, he celebrated little.
“I’m happy to be here, happy to play my first final in Melbourne but in my mind I know that I can and still have to improve. But it’s nice to have all this around. Few celebrations after the victory? These are emotions that cannot be controlled, for me it means a lot to beat Novak Djokovic in Melbourne but I know that the tournament is not over yet.
Everyone has their own way of celebrating. The final is on Sunday and the final is always a different thing, you don’t win the tournament with the semi-final. I can’t wait for Sunday to arrive and play the match,” he explained.
Jannik Sinner: “Some emotions cannot be controlled”
A key moment of the match was the failed match point in the third set. Many thought that Djokovic could have taken advantage of the moment, to try for a historic comeback after the first two sets lost, but history went differently.
“It’s true, it wasn’t easy. I felt close in mind but the road was still long. In the end I stopped to reflect and thought that the score was still 2-1 for me, so it remained positive. I started again and I stayed focused on the goal, it was my game plan and that’s it.
In the first two sets I saw that Djokovic hit the ball badly and didn’t move well, but he is the ATP No.1 and you have to be ready for his every move. In the third set the level was equal, Nole has the best return in the history of the sport and he didn’t have any break points, this was unusual,” said Sinner.
About his coach Cahill, Jannik underlined the importance of having him in the team: “Darren is always very calm and even this morning we were talking but not about tennis. We talked about strategy only 20 minutes before the match and I think it helped not only me but everything the team to believe in ourselves.
Me, him and Simone create a fantastic combination and at the moment we do everything at the right time.”
Rod Laver Applauds Jannik Sinner’s Triumph Over Novak Djokovic
Jannik Sinner socred his career-best victory over Novak Djokovic in Melbourne
Jannik Sinner is the first Australian Open finalist, earning a place in the title clash after ousting the defending champion Novak Djokovic. Jannik produced his career-best victory and beat Novak 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 in three hours and 22 minutes, securing a spot in his first Major final at 22.
Legendary Rod Laver praised Jannik’s performance against the “Melbourne Park King,” calling it at some feat. Jannik outplayed Novak like a few players before him, dominating the sets he won and moving over the top in style.
The young Italian never faced a break point, keeping the pressure on the other side from start to finish. Djokovic did not feel the ball, spraying too many errors and ending on the losing side after 33 straight wins in Melbourne.
Novak defended a match point in the tie break of the second set, winning it before ending his resistance after one loose service game in the fourth set.
Jannik served at 58%, but no one could notice that. The 4th seed produced one good hold after another and tamed his strokes nicely, staying under 30 unforced errors. Djokovic added over 50 and lost serve five times from 11 chances offered to Sinner.
Jannik was off to a flying start, serving well and earning a break in game two after a forehand drive-volley winner. Novak denied a break point in game four with a forehand winner before facing more issues behind the initial shot at 1-4.
The defending champion sprayed a backhand error, falling 5-1 behind and allowing Sinner to serve for the set.
Rod Laver praised Jannik Sinner after beating Novak Djokovic.
Jannik produced another fine hold in the seventh game, wrapping up the opener 6-1 after 35 minutes.
Djokovic served at 75% in the second set, but it did not help him. Jannik lost four points in his games and clinched a double break to forge a massive advantage. Sinner grabbed a break in the third game after Djokovic’s backhand mistake and confirmed the lead with a service winner in game four for 3-1.
Jannik landed another powerful serve for 4-2 and extended the seventh game. He collected the second break point, moving further ahead and serving for the set. Sinner forced Djokovic’s error at 5-2, opening a colossal advantage after an hour and 13 minutes.
Novak defended a break point in the third set’s first game and stayed in touch with his opponent, looking better than in the opening two sets.
They served well in the closing stages, and Sinner introduced a tie break with a smash winner in game 12. Novak moved 3-2 up with a forehand winner and extended the lead after Jannik’s forehand error. The Italian climbed back and moved 5-4 up with a forehand winner.
Djokovic leveled the score with a lob winner before Sinner earned a match point with a booming serve at 5-5. Novak saved it and extended the battle, eager to fight until the end. Djokovic forced Sinner’s two errors, winning the breaker 8-6 and introducing the fourth set.
Jannik made a fresh start and produced five good holds while earning three break chances in the second game. Novak saved them and held to stay on the positive side, which changed two games later. The Serb wasted a 40-0 lead at 1-2 and handed the Italian a break chance after a double fault.
Djokovic’s backhand landed long, and he sealed his fate in this match. Sinner held after rare deuces for 4-1, and they served well in the following three games. Djokovic held at love in game eight, doing what he could and hoping for a miracle on the return at 3-5.
Instead, Jannik stayed focused while serving for his first Major final, moving back from 15-30 with two service winners and seizing a match point with a forehand down the line winner.
