Jannik Sinner’s strong and improved baseline game helps him stun Novak Djokovic to reach Australian Open final

In a resolute, nerveless, three-hour-long display of destructive shot making and tactical mastery, Jannik Sinner, the rising 22-year-old World No.4, defeated Novak Djokovic 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-3 in the semifinals of the Australian Open on Friday, reaching his first Major final and becoming the first Italian man to reach the singles final in Melbourne.

Sinner outplayed and outmanoeuvred the undisputed king of Melbourne Park – and men’s tennis in general – and in doing so, not only strengthened his long-held credentials as a potential great in the making, but also achieved a feat that none of the Serb’s greatest rivals had been able to accomplish even at the peak of their careers.

Prior to Friday, Novak Djokovic had never lost in the semifinal or final of the Australian Open. A perfect 20-0 record. He was 33 matches unbeaten in Melbourne, a streak that went back to 2018 – 2195 days, as the broadcasters were keen to point out every chance they got.

Savour the moment @janniksin 🥕#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/FTSDsa2AOp

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2024

The Serb’s dominance of the Slams, and particularly Melbourne Park, was not simply down to extraordinary tennis repertoire, but instead part of a legacy built on a near-supernatural ability to expose best-of-five tennis for the collection of short sprints that it is, as opposed to the consistent long run marathon it has always been claimed to be.

Even when thoroughly outplayed, Djokovic has always possessed the athleticism and presence of mind to take matches deep, win the pressure points, keep himself competitive enough to give himself a chance to win the match in the finer margins.

So, Sinner’s statement-making victory was not completed during the first half of the match, when the solid Italian took advantage of a streaky-looking Djokovic to race into an early two-set lead. Instead, it was earned during the second half, when he prevented the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who raised his game to try to take the contest deep, from completing one of his signature comebacks.

Superior in all departments

Djokovic was unquestionably flat at the start of this match, as he had been throughout his streaky title defence in Melbourne. He failed to do the things that come naturally to his game, wearing opponents down by forcing longer rallies, opening up the court to hit through them, and getting balls back into play.

Out of 90 completed points in the first two sets, Djokovic made 29 unforced errors.

And Sinner was in diametrically opposite form.

Scintillating Sinner 🇮🇹🔥

He achieves the impossible defeating 10x #AusOpen champion Djokovic 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3.@janniksin • #AO2024 • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis@Kia_Worldwide • #Kia • #MakeYourMove pic.twitter.com/X6qFAtegq7

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2024

Baseline strategy has formed a primary emphasis of the work he has been doing with his new coaching team since the start of 2022 – led by Darren Cahill, Andre Agassi’s former coach – and he nailed it in the biggest result of his career. The Italian’s lean, wiry frame and composed demeanour do not betray the full strength of the destructive power that comes off his racquet.

His pure ball striking ability would send Djokovic trailing to catch balls, and his aggression from start to finish allowed him to finish points before Djokovic could even get balls back into play to wear him down. Djokovic was out of sorts, but it was Sinner’s baseline prowess that had him totally out of his comfort zone, making him rush his shots and extracting errors.

Despite it not being the highlight of his game, Sinner served exceptionally – according to Opta, this is the first Grand Slam match of Djokovic’s 19-year-long career where he did not even have a single breakpoint opportunity.

Sinner won 80 of the points when the rallies were four shots or less, as opposed to Djokovic’s 43. In the first two sets, that number is 32-16, showing just how well Sinner was serving and returning, and keeping points short to keep Djokovic out of his comfort zone.

Maintaining composure

The greatest bit of news for Sinner’s team and fans would be that his game showed no signs of letting up even when the tide threatened to turn.

Djokovic recovered from the first two sets well, even if he never played his best in this match, he began to raise his level just enough to make sure he can take advantage if the player on the other side of the net buckled.

A lightning fast start from @janniksin ⚡

The Italian 🇮🇹 captures the first set 6-1. #AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/SYMCmyJtk6

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2024

Lesser players would have tightened up one set away from the biggest result of their career, but Sinner’s concentration never wavered. Even as Djokovic began to do Djokovic things – spraying his legs wider to shrink the court, sliding around to catch seemingly impossible balls, serving with more concentration – the Italian stayed true to his aggressive strategy, not playing like he had a lead to protect but if he had a match to win.

He served very well again to get over the pressure moments and take it into a tiebreaker, where he did hold match point, where Djokovic typically showed signs of life and recovered from match point down – with an expertly-executed lob no less – to edge the tiebreaker; he was well on his way to another turnaround.

But Sinner never cowered under the pump. Djokovic let the momentum swing and took a long bathroom break that disrupted the rhythm, but Sinner came out in the fourth set just as he had done all match – bombing down serves, putting pressure on Djokovic through aggressive return strategy, and striking the ball as purely as he had done from the start.

It would be Djokovic who blinked. After saving two break points earlier in the set, his serve would be broken and Sinner would serve for the match. Anyone familiar with Djokovic’s history would be aware that the match is far from over, but Sinner served out the win with the freedom of a player who was keener to win than he was frightened to lose.

Ever since he was a teenager, hype has swirled around the lethal nature of his shotmaking and complete nature of his game. After growing into his body and peaking physically, Sinner’s tendency to collapse meant he needed to prove that he could hold his nerve on the big stage. After picking up his third win in four matches against Djokovic, and reaching his first Major final, some of those doubts have been put to bed.

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