NEW DELHI:
Novak Djokovic
failed in his bid for a record-breaking 25th
Grand Slam
title as he was defeated by
Jannik Sinner
1-6, 2-6, 7-6(6), 3-6 in the
Australian Open
semifinal in Melbourne on Friday.
Sinner had a match point in the tie-breaker but
Djokovic
brought all his experience into play to save it and win the 76-minute third set.
Djokovic stood just two matches away from tennis immortality, but his march towards an 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown was dashed by
Sinner
on the Rod Laver Arena.
Italy's Sinner had recent pedigree in matches against Djokovic, beating him in the group stage at the
ATP Finals
-- though Djokovic came out on top in the final -- and at the
Davis Cup
.
Before this match, Djokovic had an unbeaten streak of 33 matches -- stretching back to 2018 at
Melbourne Park
.
Djokovic did not compete at the event in 2022 due to his coronavirus vaccination status.
And on Friday, the fourth seed Sinner came on top against the 10-time champion.
Sinner became the first Italian player in history to reach the Australian Open men's singles final.
Early in the match, Djokovic faced no resistance from his 22-year-old opponent, but he also did not assist his own cause by making an uncharacteristically careless display of 29 unforced errors in the first two sets, as opposed to Sinner's mere eight.
The super-cool Sinner, unfazed by the fact that he was up against a guy who had never lost a semi-final at Melbourne Park, sprinted into a 3-0 lead, depriving the 36-year-old of his customary metronomic steadiness.
When Djokovic's forehand flew wide in the sixth game, the Italian broke once more and won the set.
The second set began with a rising volume on center court, and Djokovic took control with a strong hold.
Sinner, who had defeated Djokovic in two of their previous three meetings, broke in the third game to take a firm hold on the match as his error count mounted.
Cries of "Nole" echoed around the crowded stadium as Djokovic begged the spectators to help him, but he was broken again and lost two sets.
Medical personnel had to treat a fan in the stands during the 5-5, 40-40 break in the match; however, Djokovic waved off the delay, holding service, and the set went to a tie-break.
Sinner returned to earn his first match point as the Serb gave chase, only to smash a forehand into the net.
When it came time for him to win the set, Djokovic did not miss, raising his closed fist to the spectators.
However, in the fourth set, the Serbian's serve was once again put under strain, and he broke to give Sinner a 3-1 advantage.
To end the game and bring an era to an end at Melbourne Park, the Italian maintained his composure.
(With AFP inputs)
English (US) ·