In a highly anticipated semifinal match at the Australian Open, reigning champion Jannik Sinner is set to face off against the legendary Novak Djokovic. Sinner, currently ranked second in the world, advanced to this prestigious matchup after defeating American player Ben Shelton, who holds the seventh seed. The match concluded with Sinner winning decisively at 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Sinner’s Path to the Semifinals
The 24-year-old Italian expressed satisfaction with his performance against Shelton. He acknowledged the American’s formidable serve, which reached speeds of 232 km/h. Sinner managed to break Shelton’s serve three times, executing one break in each set while maintaining his own serve throughout the match.
“It’s always very tough to play against Ben,” Sinner noted. “He has an enormous serve, and he is improving every match.” Sinner’s victory against Shelton comes after overcoming physical challenges earlier in the tournament, particularly cramping in the third round. He mentioned that a recent victory over compatriot Luciano Darderi boosted his confidence.
The Upcoming Battle with Djokovic
As Sinner looks ahead to his clash with Djokovic, he aims for his fifth Grand Slam title. Djokovic, the fourth seed and aiming for his 11th title at the Australian Open, qualified for the semifinals under unusual circumstances. He progressed after his opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, retired from their match due to injury. Musetti was leading the match before experiencing issues with his right thigh.
“I’m really disappointed for him,” Djokovic said, acknowledging Musetti’s initial dominance in the match. “He was better than me today. I got lucky.” Djokovic himself is dealing with an enormous blister on his right foot and expressed frustration with his own performance.
Head-to-Head History
This semifinal will mark the 11th encounter between Sinner and Djokovic. The Serbian leads their rivalry with six wins to four. Djokovic won their first two Grand Slam meetings at Wimbledon but has lost to Sinner in their last three showdowns, including their last three in semifinals at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon last year.
- Match History:
- 2022 Wimbledon: Djokovic won
- 2024 Wimbledon: Djokovic won
- 2024 Australian Open: Sinner won
- Last three matches: Sinner’s wins
Sinner expressed his eagerness for the upcoming match, stating, “It’s for these matches that we train and wake up in the morning. I look forward to playing this match.” He has great respect for Djokovic, recognizing his longevity and skill in the sport.
