Novak Djokovic faces the toughest test of his Australian Open title defence so far as the 10-time champion takes on fourth seed Jannik Sinner in a mouthwatering semi-final clash. Djokovic has never lost an Australian Open semi-final, winning every tournament in which he has reached the final four, but Sinner comes into the clash in red-hot form.
The Italian has not dropped a set so far and has won two of his previous three meetings against Djokovic, including in sensational fashion in the Davis Cup semi-finals in November. Djokovic thrashed Sinner in straight sets in the Wimbledon semi-finals last season but the 22-year-old has made significant improvements to his game and Melbourne Park could be set for a classic.
In the other semi-final, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev renew their rivalry as they meet at a grand slam for the first time. Zverev produced a sensational performance to defeat Carlos Alcaraz while Medvedev required another five-set epic to outlast Hubert Hurkacz. Zverev has faced off-court scrutiny regarding his forthcoming domestic abuse trial – he denies the allegations – and is bidding to reach his first Australian Open final.
Follow live scores, updates and results from the Australian Open below:
Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
*Djokovic 1-6 2-6 4-4 Sinner
Sinner continues to hold firm behind serve and on the baseline. Djokovic is starting to have some more back-and-forth with his box now as we enter the crucial stages of the third set. Sinner is two games away from a stunning upset.
Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 4-3 Sinner*
Djokovic slams his second ace of the match up the middle to edge back ahead. After an hour and 45 minutes, he’s back in this match.
Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
*Djokovic 1-6 2-6 3-3 Sinner
Impressive serving from Sinner as the 22-year-old holds to love. He’s won seven of seven first-serve points in this set.
Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 3-2 Sinner*
Djokovic is ticking off the service games and it’s Sinner having to answer the questions in this third set. It’s definitely more of a contest now.
Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
*Djokovic 1-6 2-6 2-2 Sinner
Signs of life? It’s a rarity to see Djokovic win a baseline rally but he does so to get to 0-30 on Sinner’s serve as the Italian nets on the forehand.
Ace from Sinner! And that is a stunning backhand approach down the line from Sinner! Brave attacking play and he’s back to 30-30.
That’s another big miss from Djokovic and he slumps a backhand long on 30-30 and then Djokovic nets again on the forehand! Big hold from Sinner.
Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 2-1 Sinner*
If Djokovic is to find a way back into this, bookmark that hold at the start of the third. He holds again, a simpler game this time.
Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
*Djokovic 1-6 2-6 1-1 Sinner
Another love-hold from Sinner. All the battling Djokovic is doing is on his own service games.
Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 1-0 Sinner*
Again, Djokovic looks heavy and out of sorts as his forehand finds the net and Sinner gets a look at 15-30.
Sinner has broken Djokovic in the opening game of both sets, can he do so again at the start of the third?
Wow – Sinner pressed for that but Djokovic wins a 23-shot rally to stay alive! Sinner nets on the backhand down the line.
There are some signs of life on the other side of the court, and yet…
Sinner controls the next point and Djokovic’s drop shot is pushed back down the line by Sinner to get to break point!
Djokovic inches from the ace… and he hangs on as he pushes Sinner deep and the Italian nets on the backhand crosscourt!
And that’s a huge hold from Djokovic – his best game of the match so far as he recovers Sinner’s backhand down the line, works his way back into the point and meets Sinner’s drop shot with a lovely touch.
Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 Sinner – Sinner wins second set!
This is the second-worst start Djokovic has ever made to a match at a grand slam. He has won just three games! He won two against Nadal in the 2020 French Open final.
It’s only been an hour and 13 minutes but Sinner is a set away from the biggest win of his life and one of the biggest upsets in Australian Open history.
Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 Sinner – Sinner wins second set!
For the first time in the match, Djokovic gets his nose into a Sinner service game at 0-30.
But the string of errors continues from Djokovic and two in a row in the rallies gets Sinner to two set points.
Djokovic digs in and blasts a forehand into the corner that Sinner can’t keep in play, but his return on deuce drifts long and it’s second set point.
First serve from Sinner… and Djokovic nets!
STUNNING! Jannik Sinner leads Novak Djokovic by two sets… 6-1 6-2.