Sinner a test for Djoker
No.1 seed’s record on line
Jannik Sinner has looked a man possessed at this Australian Open – and is putting together the sort of tournament that should have 10-time champion Novak Djokovic worried.
The pair will face off in a semi-final on Friday, with Djokovic’s perfect 10-0 record in Australian Open semis under serious threat.
Sinner is the hottest player in tennis at present and has lifted his level against the truly elite names in the sport over the past 12 months.
At just 22 years old, he’s coming off the best season of his career and is reversing a miserable record against the top players in the world.
Prior to 2023, Sinner had a woeful 1-15 record against players ranked in the top five in the world.
Since the start of last year, he’s won 11 and lost just five matches against the truly top-tier stars of the game.
He’s yet to drop a set at this year’s Australian Open and heading into the quarter-finals only Carlos Alcaraz had spent less time on court.
It’s reason enough for Djokovic to be concerned.
“He’s probably playing the tennis of his life,” Djokovic said of Sinner after the top seed’s victory over Taylor Fritz on Tuesday.
“He had a fantastic ending of the last season and we had a couple of great encounters in Torino, also the Davis Cup, very close ones going 7-6 7-5 in the third.
“I can expect him to always play on the highest level.”
On facing Djokovic, Sinner said he was “lucky” to get the opportunity again on the big stage.
“I’m happy to play the No.1 in the world, he has won here some times,” Sinner said. “I will fight for every ball and we will see what the outcome will be.”
He won’t be intimidated given Sinner is the only man to beat Djokovic twice in 2023.
Sinner, 22, is coached Australian Darren Cahill.
The Italian reached a careerhigh world ranking of No.4 in October after he won the China Open in Beijing.
He also led Italy to its second Davis Cup title last year.
Sinner didn’t drop a service game in the 2hr 39min slugfest quarter-final with Andrey Rublev, winning 6-4 7-6 (5) 6-3.
“It’s obviously very tough to play against him, today it was three sets but I could have lost both first sets,” Sinner said.
“He had so many break points and I somehow served really well on that one.
“But everything goes so fast, it’s just more kind of reaction. I obviously want to thank everyone for staying so long, it’s now 1.25am, but it’s always a huge pleasure to play here on this court.
“It doesn’t really matter, the time. I really appreciate it and I’m happy to be in the next round.” by