In a stunning upset at the Australian Open, rising star Jannik Sinner delivered a masterful performance to dethrone defending champion Novak Djokovic. Sinner’s 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3 victory marked Djokovic’s first defeat at Melbourne Park in six years and propelled the 22-year-old Italian into his maiden Grand Slam final.
Sinner showcased tennis brilliance in the opening two sets, exploiting Djokovic’s vulnerabilities in serve and backhand. Notably, he did not face a single break point throughout the match, cementing his dominance. This triumph also makes Sinner the sole Italian player to reach an Australian Open singles final.
Speaking about the intense match, Sinner commented, “It was a very, very tough match. I started out very well, for two sets I felt that he was not feeling too good on court so I just tried to keep pushing.”
The defeat for Djokovic ended his remarkable 33-match winning streak at Melbourne Park. Reflecting on the match, Djokovic acknowledged Sinner’s excellence, stating, “He outplayed me completely today. I was shocked with my level in a bad way. Not much that I was doing right… This is one of the worst Grand Slam matches I have played, that I can remember.”
Despite Djokovic’s effort to stage a comeback by winning the third set, Sinner maintained composure. Djokovic managed to force a tiebreak but Sinner, showing impressive racket control, eventually secured the victory.
“I have the belief that I can play the best players in the world. On Sunday, I’m in my first final. Let’s see how it goes. I’m really happy, I’ll come here with a smile and try my best,” said Sinner, expressing confidence and anticipation for the final.
Sinner’s triumph signifies a shift in the tennis landscape, as the Australian Open final will not feature Djokovic, Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal for the first time since 2005. The young Italian will face either Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev in the final, eagerly looking forward to the challenge ahead.