Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner after the match. (Courtesy: Australian Open/X)Jannik Sinner turned the most anticipated matchup of the 2024 Australian Open into his showcase in a dominant win against 10-time champion Novak Djokovic. While the Italian’s upset against the World No. 1 may not be a shock, the 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3 scoreline is one of the more stunning in recent memory.
Djokovic fought off a match point in the third-set tie-break but was ultimately unable to rise to his opponent’s challenge on a largely off-colour afternoon. The Serbian made 54 unforced errors and did not create a break point as Sinner held firm with a patient game plan that seemed to dare Djokovic to beat him in the rallies.
“It was a very, very tough match. I started off really well,” Sinner told Jim Courier in his on-court interview. “For two sets, I felt like he was not feeling that great on court so I just tried to keep pushing. Then in the third set I had match point and I missed the forehand, but this is tennis.
“I just tried to be ready also for the next set, which I started off really well. And obviously the atmosphere was so great to play here.”
After beating Djokovic in two of three Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings last November, Sinner improved to 3-4 in their rivalry and advanced to his first Grand Slam final with a measured display in Melbourne. The Italian played within himself and showed great mental strength to hold off a late charge from the World No. 1, who slowly rounded into form as the match wore on.
While Sinner was sharp in tactics and execution, knocking back Djokovic with his weight of shot, the Serbian fuelled his opponent’s confidence with a flat early display that was the antithesis of his usual level in high-stakes matches.
Djokovic had been short of his best for much of this Melbourne fortnight, but his ability to raise his game in the late rounds at majors has helped him win a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles. On this occasion, the Serbian’s level dipped instead, until an unsuccessful late surge.