That, then, is us. I don’t know what those of us who still have to live the rest of the day do now, likewise who are meant to sleep now – most of all Alexander Zverev, who might struggle for the next few years. But we’ll do our best; join us again tomorrow for the women’s final! Oh man! Peace out.
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Medvedev says that first set, neither of them played that well, and though he improved in the second, Zverev was really good. So in the third, he told himself that even if he lost, he just wanted to be proud of himself, and he is. Goodness me, imagine that feeling.
He decided he couldn’t keep running as he was so started going for more, doing what he thought he needed to and it worked, his serving improved, and he got lucky at 5-5 ion the breaker – “the slice was intentional, not the “backspin against the wind”, he chortles. “Sometimes you need to be lucky and today’s my day,” he concludes; well yes, but also, you made it your day.
He’s happy he made it tough for himself because his record in five-setters isn’t good and many times in the decider he’s not been strong enough, so he’s happy. A month ago, he wanted to become stronger mentally and not be distracted by some bloke in the crowd shouting, or the umpire making an error.
Asked about Sinner, her says he was sleeping during the Rublev match, but beating Djokovic, 10-0 in AO semis, is impressive. He hopes it’s third time lucky in the final, asking if they have this phrase in Australia, noting that Laver isn’t his best court in terms of his results and “self-esteem” on it, but he needs to play well and win two sets – he means three – on Sunday. What a nice, fun man.
We use the word awesome a lot in sport, most of the time to mean quite good, but that awesome; we are in awe. Anyway, here’s the man of the moment four hours.
I am shaking. Daniil Medvedev is a complete freak of nature, an unbelievable athlete and competitor. He didn’t even play that well, but he worked out how to do enough, and gave us one of the great comebacks. He knows about those on this court, and meets Jannik Sinner in the final on Sunday
Daniil Medvedev (2) beats Alexander Zverev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 6-3! He meets Jannik Sinner in the final!
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5)5-3 Zverev* It’s not the surprising to see Zverev drop – he played the match of his life just two days ago and the pressure is intense. But it didn’t look like Medvedev could improve sufficiently to win three sets straight, yet here he is and we are … and two more errors from Zverev, going long and into the net, leave him two points from a defeat he’ll wear around his neck until the day he dies. He looks like he could cry after closing to 15-30 and I’m sure he can, all the more so when he overhits a forehand down the line … no, it clipped its outermost fibre … but then a backhand is definitively long, and DANIIL MEDVEDEV HAS MATCH POINT! I SAID DANIIL MEDVEDEV HAS MATCH POINT! AND HE TAKES IT TOO, A ZVEREV FOREHAND CATCHING THE NET-CORD AND FLOPPING WIDE! WHAT ON EARTH HAVE WE SEEN HERE? HOLD ME!
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*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 5-3 Zverev Medvedev nets a routine forehand, but well in the next rally, Zverev strays wide; early in the match, he was patiently playing areas, now he’s overdoing it looking for lines. And down 30-15, he thwacks a backhand long, then nets a return, and improbably, amazingly, incredibly, Daniil Medvedev is a game away from the final!
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Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 4-3 Zverev* Up 30-0, Zverev again goes long, and he’s really struggling to balance necessary attack with due caution. Earlier in the match, that was Medvedev, but as his opponent has wilted he’s grown – though he holds to 15 and looks a little better in so doing. But can he take his break back?
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*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 6-7 4-2 Zverev Daniel back and what’d I miss? Not much I hope! Zverev will be feeling exceedingly poorly and he’s seen this before, losing a 2-0 lead to Thiem in the only Slam final he’s reached, the US Open in Covid times. And though Medvedev finds himself down 0-15, he’s soon up 15-30 … but a tame, nervy backhand into the net and we’re level at 30-all. The most important points of the match are coming up and Zverev, coming in, overhits a forehand then, when Medvedev drops, he retrieves well only to net a stretch-volley! He looks desperate now, like a man forced to look on as a thief steals his life.
Medvedev breaks Zverev in the fifth!
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 3-2 *Zverev
A gasp from the crown as Zverev hits the net cord to cough up 15-15. Whoops. Then comes an attempt at a forehand winner down the line. It’s missed. And then so is his volley at the net. He’s fuming, and smashes the net, for which he receives a telling off. Two huge break points. For the first, he makes sure of the overhead, hurtling it into the floor and away. He then saves the next, throwing his tired body across and angling the volley winner home for deuce. He’s happier already. But then Medvedev – somehow – lands a winner on a postage stamp. Another break point. And Zverev, despite a first serve going in, is tempted into going for gold and can only net. For the first time, Medvedev is ahead in the match!
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Medvedev* 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 2-2 Zverev
Medvedev forced to the back of the court and into an error for 15-15. But after a baseline rally he scoops the ball low and down the line for 30-15. Brilliant play. Then Zverev swings and shanks it out for 40-15. Another rally, another Medvedev chess move to win.
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Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 1-2 *Zverev
Zverev’s ball bouncing is lengthy, and he gets tempted into a long rally to go 15-0 with an amazing drop shot. Another rally comes, and another drop volley does it. Medvedev sent skidding around for 40-0 but then wins out as Zverev misses chance for a Sampras-style slam dunk by getting his angles all wrong. Still, next comes an ace. We stay with serve.
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Medvedev* 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 1-1 Zverev
Medvedev’s serve is cooking now, if not quite the weapon of his rival. He still lands an easy hold.
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Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 0-1 *Zverev
Ok, it all comes down to this. Sinner must be delighted. Though Zverev makes short work of this one, and Medvedev gives up by letting a weak slice into the net to complete an easy hold.
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Medvedev takes the fourth set, it's 2-2
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5) Zverev
It goes with serve for 1-1, some lengthy ball bouncing precedes 2-1 after a smash from the net from Zverev. Then it’s Medvedev engineering a serve and volley to level it at 2-2. His racket suddenly seems like a wand. Then he crashes a disguised backhand down the line for a 3-2 lead. Big serve and volley for Zverev for 3-3. More of the same, with a backhand crasher from Zverev for a 4-3 lead. Like clockwork, Zverev levels it. It’s 5-4, and two shots against the grain will take it to four. Medvedev surges around the court and it’s 5-5. Then come a baseline drop shot on the return and he will serve for the set. Did he mean that? Who knows? He serves it out, and we go to five.
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Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 6-6 Zverev* Medvedev is well in the first rally, only for Zverev to direct a backhand cross for a clean winner; Medvedev challenges, and there’s a delay. “He knew the ball was inside the line,” says Zverev to the umpire. He handles the disruption well, though, a big serve dictating the next point won in short order, Medvedev goes wide with a backhand down the line, monsters down and acew, and that’s the breaker – to be brought to you by John Brewin, as I’ve got to do the school run.
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*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 6-5 Zverev Zverev nets a backhand for 30-0, and though a winner then halves the deficit, Medvedev holds to 15, and he’s chugging through these at quite a pace. He’s done a brilliant job to rouse himself.
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 5-5 Zverev* It really is unbelievable what these lads do – the physical and mental fitness, and ability to deliver under pressure with nowhere to hide, is obscene. Zverev holds to 15 like nothing’s going on – I guess in his mind, it kind of isn’t – and this set looks like it too will require a tiebreak.
*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 5-4 Zverev Medvedev marches in but his pick-up half volley lifts just wide, then a wild thrash is wide and plenty; out of nowhere, 0-30. Zverev, though, plays a poor shot that drops long and a flat ace out wide, Medvedev’s go-to when under pressure and serving into the advantage court, follows. And from there, the game disappears; Zverev must now hold to avoid a decider that looked entirely unlikely an hour or so ago.
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 4-4 Zverev* “Wooooh!” says Kyrgios as Medvedev sweeps a backhand winner cross for 0-15. “Medvedev looks good!” That he does – all the more so when Zverev, upping the pace on his groundstrokes, hits with one but misses with another, bringing us to 15-30. He makes 30-all, though, and sweeps a gorgeous forehand cross-court … but Medvedev stretches, stoops … and feels a gorgeous volley! “the Slim Reaper!” enthuses Kyrgios. So, break point … briefly, the Russian stepping back and opting not to chip his return as he has been – perhaps he was expecting Zverev to go big given the circumstances, but his riposte soars long. No matter: Medvedev, on the stretch, gets it back into play from the back, Zverev mistimes his jump … then misses the ball entirely! What a mistake, and what a time to make it! He saves break point again, though, Medvedev going long on the backhand, and from there, Zverev closes out. This match is a proper buzz now, tension mounting.
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*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 4-3 Zverev It’s hard to keep up with these Medvedev service games, Zverev hooking a forehand wide to cede 0-40 then framing a return that soars over the baseline. After sets of 58, 45 and 62 minutes, this one has seen seven games in 21, both men now satisfying the basics on which their games are founded: big serves and cheap holds, which sounds like a Happy Mondays album but isn’t (for avoidance of doubt).
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Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 3-3 Zverev* Medvedev makes 0-15, so Zverev powers down a serve then, caught at the net but having played a decent approach, watches the attempted pass fly wide. And he quickly makes 40-0, skidding in to lift back a drop, which Medvedev, thinking it’s going long when it isn’t. From there, he closes out, and there’s nothing in this currently – it’s the Russian looking the likelier, but as we near the business end of the set, the spectre of defeat will loom in his conscious.
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*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 3-2 Zverev Medvedev goes long on the forehand, ceding 0-15, then long on the back for 15-30. But he’s soon doing that sneer he does when really into it, two terrific backhands, the second under pressure with Zverev at the net, restoring parity … and from there he closes out, looking the fresher man now. I’ve not a clue which way this is going!
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 2-2 Zverev* Not much to say here, Zverev serving nicely and holding to love. Which freak of nature will give first?
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*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 2-1 Zverev And another love hold, a phrase about which I can’t decide: does it take a hyphen? Medvedev guzzles an energy thing at change of ends and looks desperate to get back out there while, for the first time, Zverev is a little flat.
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 1-1 Zverev* Now it’s Zverev with the love hold, carting a backhand down the line to seal the deal. He might’ve lost focus after losing the breaker, but he’ll have known that a three-set blowout was unlikely and as long as he serves as serves, he’s got a proper chance in any set.
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*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 1-0 Zverev Medvedev has already come from two sets down to win a match in the competition, somehow nailing Emil Ruusuvuori after playing a miserable first two sets. And he nails four first serves here, holding to love, and the impetus is with him … for now. He ought to have changed up sooner, especially given Zverev did, but he’s playing a smarter match now, looking to to be more aggressive, and it’s working well so far.
Daniil Medvedev wins the third set against Alexander Zverev 7-6(4) and trails by two sets to one
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) Zverev Zverev nets again, and Medvedev has two set points .. but only needs one, Zverev floating a backhand long, and a 62-minute set goes to the Russian! He is an absolutely ludicrous competitor and human being, and we got ourselves a ball-game!
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Medvedev 5-7 3-6 6-6 Zverev (5-4) Medvedev, normally so reliable from the back, nets a nondescript backhand under no rally pressure, ceding his mini-break but retaliating with an ace down the middle, and I hope this isn’t the final set because this is the best the contest has been so far. An unbelievable forehand from Zverev facilitates a nasty overhead made to look routine – his volleying today has been the best I’ve seen it – but then he nets a backhand, on serve, and Medvedev is two holds away from the set!
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 6-6 Zverev (3-1) Brilliant return from Medvedev, cross-court and low over the net, gives him the immediate mini-break. But Zverev, who lost a third-set breaker when two sets up just two days ago, immediately retrieves it, changing the direction of the rally before coming in to despatch another confident volley. Medvedev, though, is into this now, seizing it back at the net, and when Zverev nets a forehand, he’s in charge.
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*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 6-6 Zverev A breaker here would be seriously intense, and when Zverev, having done everything necessary to make 15-all, gets a headrush, wildly overhitting a ball that just needs to go in court, it looks like we’re getting one. A cunning drop makes 40-0, then Zverev nets and here we go!
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 5-6 Zverev* Medvedev has played better in this set but Zverev remains the better player, reading a drop and coming in to guide a winner down the line. Then, at 15-all, Medvedev lanks in pursuing a volley, missing his cross-court riposte by inches, and from there, Zverev quickly cleans up. Again, Medvedev must serve to stay in the match.
*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 5-5 Zverev A drop and putaway, followed by a service-winner and an ace, make light of the pressure, and though a netted forehand allows Zverev into the game, another service-winner levels the set once again.
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 4-5 Zverev* A big forehand makes 15-0, a big serve and backhand putaway 30-0; since winning the first set, Zverev has been so solid in all aspects of the game. A glorious backhand return, though, gives Medvedev hope, and when Zverev nets, he’s under pressure. You can probably guess what happens next but, a service-winner down the middle – he’s 93% on first delivery in this set – but preparing for a second go, up 40-30, he bounces the ball for ages, only to hit the net, completing his first double of the match. AND OH MY COMPLETE AND UTTER ABSOLUTE DAYS! A fantastic rally, Zverev winning it several times before Medvedev runs in to pick up a volley, not only getting it over the net but somehow, from near the tramlines, flipping cross-court it at such pace that his opponent, reaching for the ball, is knocked off his feet! Medvedev, though, can’t capitalise, burning break point with a loose return before tremendous hitting from Zverev, again controlling the tempo, allows him to finish with a forehand to the corner, the 29th shot of the rally. An ace follows, securing a vital hold – Zverev has played the big points brilliantly – and Medvedev must now serve to stay in the championships.
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*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 4-4 Zverev A crushing backhand winner cross-court gives Zverev 0-15, and when Medvedev nets one of his own, he’s a sniff. A service-winner follows, then Zverev misses a forehand down the line after a really good dig-out from his opponent and Medvedev willpowers a forehand winner on to the line, closing out what looked like being a difficult game with a deft volley. He is such a competitor.
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 3-4 Zverev* Are we at Wimbledon Is this 1997? Suddenly this is a serve-fest, Zverev holding easily, and this match has been so odd, with so any specific sections: we;ve had the double-fault phase, the elongated rally phase, the volleying phase – and now the serving phase.
“Wow!” begins Kerrith Britland. “I think many are super-pumped for Siner to do well – down to earth kid who gives the ball an absolute tonk, what’s not to like? Played Novak four times since November and won three. Carlitos can do it but it’s consistency that wins out in tennis, and while Carlitos is box-office talent, maintaining that level with his game-style might be tough.
So, the next gen has arrived? Not sure, but Sinner sure looks like he’s got a game that’s super-hard to attack. I remember an interview from Grigor when he was being compared to Roger and he said that he takes your time away at every opportunity; while Sinner has a different style there are some similarities – the weight and speed of his shots doesn’t let players settle. He’s blending heavy balls (typically Rafa), with shot speed (typically Roger), but going for big areas of the court (typically Novak); Novak compared Carlitos to the big three saying he had the best of each but Sinner seems to have it too –perhaps leaning a little more towards Novak tactically (IMO his best quality).
I always think about how Rafa and Roger almost trained Novak to be as great as he is; now Novak is doing the same to Sinner. FORZA JANNIK!”
*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 3-3 Zverev The closer we get to the end of this set, the closer Medvedev gets to defeat, knowing that any oversight could mean curtains. He’s looking solid on serve now though, an ace down the T making 30-0 and followed by a winner out wide; though he didn’t play great in the first, without the doubles, he probably wins it. Another brute down the middle follows, and that’s another swift hold – but can he find a break?
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 2-3 Zverev* Medvedev doesn’t need to make an impression on Zverev’s serve – I imagine he’d take a breaker if offered – and that’s just as well, because a mahoosive ace secures another love hold.
*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 2-2 Zverev Zverev dominates the first rally of the game, Medvedev looking bedraggled, but he’s going for more now, making 15-all then inside-outing a forehand winner and quickly moving to 40-15. From there, he closes out confidently, and though he looks tired, he’s making Zverev think again.
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 1-2 Zverev* Now then. Consecutive errors from Zverev means he’s down 0-30 … so he responds with an ace down the T. But coming in to handle a dropped return, he’s caught by a lob, and must now save two break points, the first quickly extinguished via serve and clean-up. Huge point coming up and Medvedev, returning from a little closer to the line now, can only send the return long; for all the tactics talk, he’s just not playing well enough. But down game point, after another service-winner, he again comes in and somehow French-crickets a half volley at the net to regain deuce; he’s trying. But from there Zverev serves out, and that will sting Medvedev hard.
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*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 1-1 Zverev Medvedev comes in to put away a volley – I’d not be surprised if he tries shortening the points because he’s got to last five sets to win and trying to elongate them isn’t working – and yup, two more volleys make 40-o before a love hold is secured.
Medvedev 5-7 3-6 0-1 Zverev* Zverev opens the set with a service-winner and constructs the next point very nicely before securing 40-0 with a lob, Medvedev flapping a racket forlornly but without intensity, and he’s flagging here. It’s a love hold, and this match is only going one way and i don’t even feel I’ve to add a “for now” to insulate myself.
Medvedev leves court and I’m not surprised. He desperately needs to come up with something, but having played two five-setters in the last eight days, it might be hard to carry out the practical, even if he’s successful with the theory.
Alexander Zverev takes the second set against Daniil Medvedev to lead 7-5 6-3
*Medvedev 5-7 3-6 Zverev Another volley gives Zverev 15-30 – I guess how far back Medvedev stands gives him decent margin for error, as he doesn’t need to be perfect – then he assaults a weak second serve to raise two set points. Medvedev saves the first, going wide before cleaning up, but when he tries the same trick into the advantage court, Zverev returns well, controlling the point until his opponent goes for too much, hitting wide and plenty! Zverev leads by two sets and him winning that one was never really in doubt; long way back for Medvedev from here.
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Medvedev 5-7 3-5 Zverev* Zverev serve-volleys for 15-0, knowing that Medvedev is so far back, he has to hit something perfect to make the pass. Then, at 30-all, he serve-volleys again to raise game point, securing 5-3 with another assured volley. Medvedev must now serve to stay in set two, having made precious little impact during in until now
“So we’re down to three players in Zverev, Medvedev and Sinner,” emails Yash Gupta. “All three have one thing in common. When they all won against Novak it looked like next gen has arrived. It failed to materialise when Zverev won in Rome, Thiem crushed Novak at Roland Garros and Medvedev won in New York.
This time it looks different. I don’t remember Djokovic looking so hapless against anyone before his match against Sinner. In fourth set he hit four consecutive backhand shots that in the past would win him any point, but Sinner still won the point. When Novak lost to Zverev and Medvedev in the past there was talk of – well peak Novak wins that match. Against Sinner and his monstrous serves that requires double the length of court to return, Novak looked like a man from another era. So far in his career anyone who questioned Novak looked foolish as he won titles after titles. This time it looks different. NextGen looks to have arrived, just seven years later.”
I don’t know. Djokovic has been so consistent for so long, I can’t write him off after one disaster, but it’s true those chasing him are, finally, taking big steps forward and he may never be dominant again.
*Medvedev 5-7 3-4 Zverev Medvedev badly needs a cheap hold here, and he gets one, an ace sealing a game to love. But can he make an impression on the Zverev serve? And will he change tactics so to do? Pre-match, I expected his opponent to do better adapting on the fly, but so far it’s the reverse, Medvedev still playing the first set even though in the second, Zverev has altered the nature of the challenge by going for more.
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Medvedev 5-7 2-4 Zverev* You can’t keep ceding breaks to a server of Zverev’s calibre and expect to win sets; you can’t keep ceding breaks to a server of Zverev’s calibre and expect him not to play with greater and greater confidence. He comes in to put away a volley for 15-0 then plays all the tennis in the next rally, smart with his angles and going for areas not lines before finishing with a forehand once the opportunity presents itself. Increasingly, it looks like hanging in points and awaiting the error won’t be enough for Medvedev – it might’ve been enough to win the first set, but the confidence winning it gave Zverev means it’s nowhere near enough so far in the second, and he consolidates to 15.
*Medvedev 5-7 2-3 Zverev Zverev bangs a ball to the corner and cleans up with an overhead, and though a service-winner makes 15-all, the next two rallies are dominated by his forehand, a nicely disguised inside-outer to the corner raising two break points. Medvedev saves the first well, picking up a decent backhand return … and the second with an ace down the T. But a really good backhand winner down the line gives Zverev another go – he’s the man trying to end the rallies, while Medvedev is mainly trying to stick in them – and look at that! Immediately making me look foolish, he finds a luscious drop out of nowhere to regain deuce … only to lose a net exchange, deflecting a body-shot long; break-point number four for Zverev. And this time he snaffles it, a measured forehand to the corner too good! He’s working this out well, it must be said, taking calculated risks to end points in a way he wasnt at the end of set one, and he’s in a very strong position now.
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Medvedev 5-7 2-2 Zverev* A netted backhand cedes 0-15 and this time when Zverev comes in, Medvedev’s attempted pass is good enough for his volley to drift wide; 0-30. But a lovely drop halves the deficit – the German is doing his best to trust his hands – and when Medvedev nets, we’re at 30-all. And from there, he quickly secures another hold, and so far this is a much tighter set.
*Medvedev 5-7 2-1 Zverev In comms, Kyrgios tells us he’s now mates with Tsitsipas, which sounds nice because there’s something moving about the mutual respect and friendship of sportsfolk … but which also sounds a shame, because there’s something thrilling about the animus and grudges of sportsfolk. Medvedev holds to 30, and this set has yet to take shape, neither man playing well enough to impose their will.
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Medvedev 5-7 1-1 Zverev* He doesn’t really have to, making 30-all from 0-30 thanks to two errors, but another good volley from Zverev, who’s finding ways to get to the net, and a netted backhand, secure a straightforward hold. Winning that first set has given the number six seed a bit more confidence – I meant to note, he celebrated by cupping ear to crowd, because why would they not be behind him? It’s a mystery, a real head-scratcher – and he’s trusting his game a bit more now.
*Medvedev 5-7 1-0 Zverev We had six rallies over 20 shots in that set, and given both of these lads have played a lot of tennis these last two weeks, this match might be settled by which if them flags first. At the moment, Zverev looks to be finding things harder, but there’s little as rejuvenating as success and he quickly makes 0-30. Medvedev closes but an error means he’s to save yet another break point … and again, he hangs in the rally for longer, waiting for the error that makes deuce. An ace follows, and from there Medvedev quickly closes out. He badly needed that hold because however good you are at rallying, you can’t be constantly coming from behind against so lethal a server, and I’m excited to see if he can extend the rallies through the next game.
Alexander Zverev takes the first set against Daniil Medvedev 7-5
Medvedev 5-7 Zverev* Down 15-0, Medvedev creates a passing opportunity … only to net, and Zverev is two points away from the set. But two errors, the second off the back of a second serve that dribbles over the net, have him howling in frustration, then he goes for too much with a clean-up forehand following a wide serve and must now face yet another break-back point. And he saves it well, a big but measured forehand forcing the error, then another brutal point ensues, one it’s knackering even to watch, and when Zverev finally comes in – he eschewed various opportunities he ought probably to have taken – he’s so bushed he nets a straightforward putaway! Another break-back point for Medvedev, this time confiscated in short order when a short forehand is given the treatment and this time backed up by a solid volley. As we begin another round of deuces, this feels like a massive few minutes for Zverev, who I think needs to win from the front – if he loses a set in he was up a double break and for which he’ll have served twice, the way the match is going, I can’t see him finding a way to impose his will. BUT HAVE A LOOK! At the end of a 51-shot rally, he plays the most gorgeous, casual half-volley winner at the net, barely able to raise his arm in acknowledgment. AND THEN HE PLAYS ANOTHER! This time, Medvedev manages to run it down, but Zverev is there to pat a riposte into the empty court, and this time he spreads arms wide! The first set is his, and that will be quite some relief.
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*Medvedev 5-6 Zverev Down 0-15, Medvedev threads a terrific backhand line as Zverev comes in, looking to make something happen. He does, though, get to 15-30, and at 30-all a booming backhand gives him control of another brutal rally that raises break point. And though Medvedev does brilliantly to pick up a net-cord and find decent spin and depth on it, Zverev finds a terrific lob that means he’ll once again serve for a topsy-turvy set.
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Medvedev 5-5 Zverev* There’s pressure on Zverev but I’m told he always wears shades indoors, so he’s not feart of looking silly. However he goes long with a forehand – again, Medvedev hits flat and slow, forcing him to generate his own power or respond with another nothing-shot, knowing his opponent is comfortable with either choice. He makes 15-all though, then Medvedev nets to end another long rally – at 33 strokes before another Zverev error brings us to 30-all. Neither man is playing well really but both are playing Medvedev’s game – as Dua Lipa sort of said, it’s getting physical – and as I type, a 34-stroke rally goes to the Russian, raising break point, then he converts it by waiting it out in the next! Momentum has switched, Medvedev retrieving two breaks, and Zverev goes to his corner in anguished stupefaction – he needs to find a way of imposing his own game, but if the big serve doesn’t work, does he have the weapons so to do?
*Medvedev 4-5 Zverev Medvedev begins with an ace, his first of the match, and again hangs in the next volley longer for 30-0. Though there’s every chance Zverev closes out the set on serve, the Russian is the better player now and the match is more his kind of match, and though a forehand error ups the pressure at 40-30, another ace asks the question. Does Zverev have an answer?
Medvedev 3-5 Zverev* During change of ends, we see Djokovic walking to his car; wonder if he’s been charged waiting time. Meanwhile, Zverev serves under a little pressure – for the first time, Medvedev is in the ascendancy – and he quickly makes 15-0, taking pace off to make the German generate his own only to net. Naturally, an ace and service-winner follow, but another longer rally sees Zverev net again for 30-all. This match is taking shape now, I think, Medvedev trying to keep the points long, and though he loses the next, the quality of his defence is significant. Another Zverev error then raises deuce but he quickly closes out from there, an ace down the T securing the game and asking his opponent to serve to remain in the set.
*Medvedev 3-4 Zverev Gosh, another Medvedev double gives Zverev 15-all but he soon makes 4-15 – the rallies are getting longer now, which how he wants and needs them. But when he goes for a forehand winner, he strays long – he’s struggling for finish points, so far having to induce the error, but as I type a short ball allows him to come in and flick a backhand down the line and into space.
Medvedev 2-4 Zverev* Zverev nets so, for the first time, Medvedev gets ahead on his serve and a netted slice soon makes 0-30. A longer rally doth ensue, Zverev hanging in there longer, but in the next he errs, and Medvedev might just be finding his range now, up 15-40. He can’t, though, get his backhand over the net when sent wide, except it doesn’t matter because another Zverev error, this time on the forehand, retrieves one of the two breaks.
*Medvedev 1-4 Zverev A forehand wide of the line offers Zverev a start, then offers a shorter ball having waited patiently, he comes in and guides a forehand winner to the corner, not overhitting or going for the line; he’s playing with proper clarity at the moment. But when he comes in, he opts not to play a volley, moving out the road because he thinks Medvedev’s groundstroke is going out; it isn’t. No matter: another double, Medvedev’s third already, offers to more break points … and another double, not only his fourth but the second time he’s served two in a game, cedes another cheap break and this first set is disappearing!
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Medvedev 1-3 Zverev* Zverev begins his consolidation with an ace, but the arse-end of a longer rally – the kind Medvedev will have to win if he’s to win – makes 15-all. From there, though, a big serve and a big forehand take the game away, then a service winner secures it and this is impressive from Zverev, his consolidation achieved with relative ease.
*Medvedev 1-2 Zverev Medvedev opens with a double then goes long, three break points to one of the best servers around. And Zverev only needs one, a backhand to the corner too good, and even this early, against one of the best returners around, he’ll fancy himself to see out the set from him.
Medvedev 1-1 Zverev* Now a straightforward hold for Zverev; both men are in the match.
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*Medvedev 1-0 Zverev (*denotes server) Good start from Medvedev, a point won at the net with a definitive volley, then an ace, and he holds to love, looking smooth.
And play, Medvedev to serve.
Kyrgios also talks about the need to come in against Medvedev, problem being Zverev can’t volley. I guess if his opponent is miles back, maybe he doesn’t need to be that good at it to finish points, but I think he’ll be asked to play so many balls that if doesn’t have a reliable way of finishing points, he’ll lose because he can’t out-rally Jamie from Eastenders Medvedev.
Nick Kyrgios notes that he’s a decent server, but he’s never served as well as Zverev did against Alcaraz, which was one of the best displays he’s ever seen. Which is why i can’t see him repeating it, especially not against someone as canny as Medvedev.
Our players are tunnelled, and here they come!
Elite sport during the working day. If there’s anything better than that, please do let me know. what it is, because I can’t think of anything.
Also going on…
Email! “I’m surprised how everybody expected Novak to win this Australian Open almost by default,” says James W. “The signs were all there – he had wrist issues and a cold and Sinner had beaten him two of the last three times they met. Novak lost sets in the early rounds whereas Sinner lost none and just one all tournament – a set in which he had matchpoint and should really have won this in straights.
There are no two ways about it, despite Novak stealing a close third set this was a beatdown/thrashing. If against Alcaraz at Wimbledon it was a an intense five-setter of infinitely fine margins, I’ve not seen Novak get hammered like that. I believe this is finally a changing of the guard moment. If even Novak gets hammered Down Under, you know the era of Nad/Fed/Djok is over. Yes, it’s ridiculous to say that of a man who won three Slams last year and reached the final of the other but something about the clean hitting of Sinner and monstrous serving (the best returner of all time had zero break points!) that really bothers Novak. I think this match may well be the turning point in the next-genners (outside Alcaraz) catching up and overtaking the FedalDjok era. In tennis terms, Djok is three generations (five years per generation) ahead of Sinner. At some point, the difference of 14 years will begin to tell, no matter how fit you are in your mid-thirties. I think the great Ken Rosewall found this out when playing into his 40s, a thrashing by Connors in finals springs to mind. It’s Sinner’s to lose now, he’s the best player left in the draw and on form, he beats anybody in max four sets.”
I know what you mean. I’m not writing Djokovic off yet because he played unprecedentedly dreadfully in the first two sets and I doubt he doesn’t now redouble efforts. But I absolutely agree that Sinner is over a hump, has the temperament to turn up on Sunday, and is my favourite whoever he meets.
I fancy Medvedev, I think. I’m not certain Zverev can maintain the level he hit on serve against Alcaraz, not because he isn’t good but because it was so good, and by standing as far back as he does, Medvedev can go some way towards neutralising it. And if he can, I think his ability to keep the ball in play will help, especially against an opponent who doesn’t want to come in and isn’t likely to try many drops to doesn’t have that many ways to seize points, especially not early in the rally.
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As if this contest wasn’t exciting enough, these two are very much not mates. Last year, Zverev said something like “We’ve been friends since juniors,” only for Medvedev ro reply with something like “I don’t know why he keeps saying that. We’ve known each other since then but I’ve never been his friend”.
And more generally on Zverev: “He’s a case study in the importance of self-belief. His forehand is gippy as you like, second serve is somewhere between average and dreadful, he’s the worst volleyer in the top 200, is facing a sexual assault charge, but none of it affects him because he thinks he’s marvellous.”
So how will ths match go? As ever, here’s Coach Calv: “I think Medvedev will win, cos he usually beats him – he’s won five of their last six. Tactically there’s not much to go at but if Zverev serves as well as he did the other day then it gives him a chance. His forehand is still trash but his BH is a beautiful shot.”
Goodness me, though. As if Medvedev and Zverev weren’t under enough pressure, they must now contend with the prospect of a Grand Slam final in which they don’t have to face Djokovic or Alcaraz. Not that Sinner is any kind of gimme – quite the reverse – but if you’d offered either of our players a choice of the three, they’re picking him without hesisation.
Hello all, Daniel Harris taking over from Jack. Did I miss anything? No? Great.
The 36-year-old is asked whether it was just an off tournament, or whether he is now playing at his age.
“Let’s see, I don’t know. I still have high hopes, you know, for the slams and Olympics and whatever tournaments that I’ll play. It’s just the beginning of the season,” he says.
“It’s not the feeling that I’m used to, it has been incredibly satisfying for me, to start off most of my seasons with a grand slam win and – [I’ve] never lost in the semis or finals of the Australian Open – so this time it’s a bit different, but it is what it is and let’s see.”
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Djokovic is asked to reflect on his winning streak at Melbourne Park, which now ends at 33 matches.
“I’m kind of hot headed right now after the match. It’s very difficult to reflect on things in a more profound way, so maybe tomorrow, maybe in a few days time, but I definitely have a lot to be very proud of in terms of what I have achieved here,” he says.
“The streak was going to end, one day it was going to happen and at least I gave everything I possibly can under circumstances where I didn’t play well.”
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Djokovic says Sinner “outplayed me completely”.
“I was, in a way, shocked with my level in a bad way. I mean, not much I was doing right in the first two sets. And yeah, I guess this is one of the worst grand slam matches I’ve ever played,” he tells a crowded media room.
“Not a very pleasant feeling playing this way, but at the same time, credit to him for doing everything better than me, in every aspect of the game.”
We have a new world No 1 in women’s doubles. Elise Mertens will take over from Australian Storm Hunter at the top of the rankings after the only other contender for top spot, Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski, lost her semi-final today. 11th seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko beat Dabrowski and her partner Erin Routliffe 7-5, 7-5, to book a spot in the final on Sunday against Mertens and Hsieh Su-wei. Hunter and her new partner Kateřina Siniaková were beaten by Mertens and Hsieh in the semi-finals yesterday.
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Djokovic is speaking to media shortly. It looks like the 36-year-old is heading towards the media centre at Melbourne Park for his post-match press conference. Perhaps he might have an explanation for his first two sets, where he produced an uncharacteristically high number of errors, 29 in total. He had only 25 across the third and fourth sets, even though they were about twice as long.
Sinner will now take on either Alexander Zverev or Daniil Medvedev in the final. The second semi-final is due to get underway in about an hour on Rod Laver Arena. The Italian says he would have been watching even if he wasn’t in the final. “I’m a huge tennis fan, so it’s good to watch also for me.” We will be blogging right through, so don’t go anywhere.
Sinner’s serve was the key to victory, and he didn’t face one break point across the entire match. He told Jim Courier: “The serve has improved a lot, but still I have the feeling that I can still improve a lot.” That would be ominous for the rest of the tour, after doing this to Djokovic.
— Jack Snape (@jacksongs) January 26, 2024
Sinner speaking with Jim Courier on-court after the match:
“It was a was a very, very tough match. I started off really well. For two sets I felt like he was not feeling that great on court, so I just tried to keep pushing. And then in the third set, I had match point and I missed the forehand, but you know, this is tennis. And I just tried to be ready also for the next set, which I started off really well.”
What’s the significance for Sinner? He’ll play his first grand slam final on Sunday. He’ll be the first Italian player ever, man or woman, to reach an Australian Open singles final. He’s only the ninth Italian player ever to reach a grand slam singles final. And at age 22, he will be the youngest player in the men’s final at Melbourne Park since 2008, when Djokovic won the title at age 20.
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An amazing match, and a gritty victory for Sinner. Djokovic might have been off his game early, but the Italian had to snuff out his revival. Backed by his monster serve, he succeeded and ended up winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 in three hours and 23 minutes.
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Sinner takes the fourth set and the match
Sinner* 6-3 Djokovic. A backhand error from Sinner hands Djokovic a 0-15 start. The umpire instructs the crowd to quieten down. A huge serve wide sets up a straightforward forehand for Sinner, and now it’s 15-15. And then, what’s this? A first double fault from the Italian. Is doubt creeping in? Boom! An ace out wide, and it’s back to 30-30. This is riveting stuff, the emergence of a new tennis superstar. The umpire again lecturing the crowd. Another monster serve from Sinner. It’s match point… And the 22-year-old has done it, he’s knocked out the 10-time champion. Djokovic is out, Sinner is into the final!
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Sinner 5-3 Djokovic*. The shadows are lengthening, and Djokovic’s invincibility is fading. But he refuses to go quietly. Four monster serves and he holds to love in seconds. It now comes down to Sinner’s serve.
Sinner* 5-2 Djokovic. A huge serve down the T catches the line and gives Sinner a 30-0 advantage. He’s still playing beautifully, and he works Djokovic around the court on a rally to go up 40-0. Djokovic can only applaud his opponent. Sinner holds, and is now just a game away from victory.
Sinner 4-2 Djokovic*. Djokovic goes to the drop-shot again, and it’s good enough for 15-0. He recovers from an error with an ace for 30-15, then works Sinner around for 40-15. Djokovic is letting the service clock count down close to nought, and he appears to have words with the umpire. But he holds and puts the pressure back on the Italian.
Sinner* 4-1 Djokovic. Sinner gobbles up a Djokovic drop-shot and the crowd roars in support. Another drop-shot attempt from Djokovic finds the net and it’s 30-0. The Serb is shaking his head. But a Djokovic forehand down the line gets it to 30-15, then he overpowers the Italian in a rally and it’s all square. The tension in Rod Laver Arena is building. A big second serve to the body is hit just long by Djokovic and it’s 40-30. But the Serb gets the deep return back to force a Sinner error. Two points later and it’s deuce again in this arm-wrestle of a game. “Novak, Novak, Novak”. Djokovic may not get many more opportunities to break back and the crowd knows it. But Sinner closes it out, and is now just two games away.
Sinner 3-1 Djokovic*. Djokovic clearly heard the murmurs about his age. He responds in typical fashion, and hits a beautiful drop-shot at 40-0. But wait! Sinner gets to it, with a sliding cross-court forehand. Two Djokovic errors later and it’s back to deuce. And then, what’s this? A double fault! What a turnaround in this game. Djokovic hits a backhand long and it’s a break for the Italian!
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Sinner* 2-1 Djokovic. It’s back to business for the Italian, and despite a lovely drop shot from Djokovic, Sinner holds at 40-30. At what point do we need to raise the difference in age between the players? How about now... Djokovic is 14 years and 86 days older than Sinner. That’s the fourth-largest gap between players in an Australian Open men’s singles semi-final in the Open Era. The biggest gap came in 1976, when 21-year-old Mark Edmondson beat 41-year-old Ken Rosewall. Will the youngster prevail here too? Stay tuned.
Sinner 1-1 Djokovic*. A backhand error from Djokovic, then a stretch backhand from the Italian makes it 0-30. But Djokovic steadies with an ace, wide past Sinner’s forehand. It’s tense, and at 15-30 Djokovic survives a second service let. But it doesn’t matter – he blasts a forehand long to hand two break point chances to the Italian! Djokovic survives the first despite desperate defence from Sinner. And then an ace down the T makes it deuce. Sinner gets to a wide return and Djokovic meekly finds the net. On the game’s third break point, the Serb finds a strong serve wide. Djokovic eventually gets out of the game but it was a struggle.
Sinner* 1-0 Djokovic. Djokovic tries to end a compelling rally early with a drop-shot that finds the net, handing Sinner a 30-0 start. Djokovic hits a strong return to make it 40-15, but otherwise it’s a strong response from the young Italian. He wins it with an ace.
Djokovic has returned to court. Sinner has been ready for him for minutes, bouncing up and down, ahead of his first service game in the fourth set. It has been more than five minutes since the third set ended.
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Djokovic’s improved serve helped him back in it. Cutting down on unforced errors, the Serb increased the percentage of points won on his first serve to 79%. That number was 56% in the second set. He is still struggling on the Italian’s serve, but he won the key points when it mattered to stay alive in the tournament. Now Sinner’s unforced errors are creeping up. He had 15 in the third set, compared to eight in the first two sets.
Djokovic takes the third set 7-6
Sinner 6-7 (6-8) Djokovic. A huge let-off for Djokovic as a Sinner passing shot sails just wide. And now the Serbian has set point at 7-6. It’s a second serve, and the umpire has to tell the crowd to be quiet. Sinner hits a backhand that drops just long, and Djokovic takes the set! It’s game on at Rod Laver Arena. Djokovic appears to be going for a clothing change.
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Sinner 6-6 (6-6) Djokovic (tie-break, ongoing). The Italian recovers with a big serve. A huge forehand reach keeps Sinner in the following point, then Djokovic hits a forehand wide and it’s back to 4-4. The pressure shifts to the Serbian, and a big return from Sinner then a clean winner swings the match back in his favour. He has the match on his serve! At 5-4, he goes big with his forehand and all Djokovic can do against the advancing Italian is turn to his lob. He nails it, and gets it back on serve at 5-5. But Djokovic can’t get back another monster serve down the T, and it’s match point. Sinner hits another forehand into the net, and Djokovic stays alive!
Sinner 6-6 (2-4) Djokovic (tie-break, ongoing). First up, Sinner wastes a Djokovic second serve with a long return. The Italian’s first serve misses narrowly, then he finds the net with a backhand. Pressure builds on the 22-year-old. He responds with a big serve wide that Djokovic can’t get back. Sinner then jumps on a Djokovic second serve, and it’s all square at 2-2. The Serb finds a forehand to end a 14-shot rally and go up 3-2. Then Sinner hits another forehand into the net, and the Serb has the advantage! The tie-break continues…
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Sinner* 6-6 Djokovic. Djokovic hits a backhand long and closes his eyes in frustration. But then Sinner goes for too much and hits his own backhand deep. It’s 15-15 and Rod Laver Arena is tense. A crucial second serve for Sinner jams Djokovic for 30-15, then an ace, then an overhead. What a response from the Italian. It’s time for a tie-breaker!
Sinner 5-6 Djokovic*. The world No 1 takes the game with a strong serve and then a fortunate net cord. Will the stoppage help or hinder the Italian? Djokovic has the momentum as a tie-break looms.
Paramedics are treating an elderly spectator, who seems to be on the ground in the stands. He finds his feet, and gets a modest ovation from the spectators around him. He is being assisted from the arena, and appears to have a small gash on his head, but is smiling. The match resumes at a critical juncture, to huge applause.
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Sinner 5-5 Djokovic* (40-40, game ongoing). At 0-15, Sinner gets to a high bouncing ball in mid-court and had Djokovic going the wrong way, but the Italian hit it long. Soon after, Djokovic finds a forehand to best Sinner’s determined defence, and it’s 30-15. “Novak, Novak, Novak”, rings out. But Sinner powers a return back, forcing Djokovic wide and Sinner levels at 30-30. Djokovic forces Sinner wide and gets him on the move, for 40-30. But a Djokovic forehand flies long and it’s deuce. A wild backhand from Sinner gives the Serb the advantage, but he wastes it with another forehand error. A fan seems to be having a health issue and medical staff have been called. The players are taking a break.
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Sinner* 5-5 Djokovic. Sinner hits a straightforward forehand into the net for 0-15. Is this an opening? But the Italian finds the corner with a looping forehand and it’s 15-15. No nerves yet. A serve wide, and simple volley. Another big serve, and a return goes long. A second serve, Djokovic hits it long again. The Italian holds, and new balls are called.
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Sinner 4-5 Djokovic*. A tight rally ends with a Sinner backhand finding the tape. Then the Italian appears impatient, going for a forehand winner early. It finds the net for 30-0. Two good serves follow, and it’s another easy hold for Djokovic.
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Sinner* 4-4 Djokovic. An unforced error from Djokovic ends a long rally to give Sinner the first point. Another arm-wrestle of a point goes the opposite way, making it 15-15. But Djokovic blasts a return long, then exchanges words with his box. He just can’t get any kind of momentum. A big serve down the middle from Sinner helps him to 40-15, then a Djokovic forehand error ends the game.
Sinner 3-4 Djokovic*. Djokovic seems to have his serve back, and goes up 30-0. A long rally then goes the way of the Serb, and all of a sudden he doesn’t look far off his best. An ace seals the game. Is this the turning point? Your move, Sinner.
Sinner* 3-3 Djokovic. Anything Djokovic can do, Sinner can do better. The Italian holds to love. He is playing today to become the first Italian player in history, man or woman, to reach an Australian Open singles final. It’s clear the nerves haven’t got to him yet.
Sinner 2-3 Djokovic*. Sinner is defending ably, but Djokovic is starting to find his range. He hits a gorgeous forehand winner for 30-0, then the Italian finds the net in the subsequent point. It’s another comfortable service game, finished with an ace. This is crunch time for Djokovic, but he seems to be rediscovering his touch.
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Sinner* 2-2 Djokovic. A hint of a recovery. Sinner hits a forehand into the net to end a tense rally. Then a not dissimilar shot at the end of a not dissimilar rally, into the net again. But at 0-30, an ace wide past Djokovic’s forehand. The sun is beaming down onto Rod Laver Arena, and Sinner sends Djokovic from one side of the court to the other to level the game at 30-30. Then, a brilliant return from the Serb is wasted by a shot on the approach that flies long. Sinner takes another point, and keeps the second set on serve.
Sinner 1-2 Djokovic*. Djokovic finally has a straightforward service game, and holds from 40-15. The new balls, taken two games ago, seem to be having an effect.
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Sinner* 1-1 Djokovic. The Italian holds to love in what feels like seconds. If Djokovic gets out of this, it’s going to take a miraculous turnaround.
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Sinner 0-1 Djokovic*. The Serb is holding on. A 23-shot rally at 15-30 ends with a Sinner backhand finding the net. But two points later and Sinner has a break point chance on a rally that goes almost as long. Djokovic survives, and eventually takes the game with a neat volley, but he is having to work for every point.
Sinner dominated the second set. Although he landed just 62% of his first serves, he won 12 of 13 points when he did. Djokovic was serving at a higher first service percentage, but won just 56% of his those first serves. It’s the errors that are killing the world No 1 – 29 in total now, compared to just eight for Sinner.
Sinner takes a two-set lead
Sinner* 6-2 Djokovic. Djokovic goes up 0-30 but Sinner hits a strong serve down the middle to get one point back, and another unforced error from the top seed hauls it to 30-30. Then Djokovic hits a simple forehand into the net. Everyone in Rod Laver Arena is bewildered at this display, not least Djokovic himself, and his head seems to drop. The Serb saves one set point by taking the initiative in a rally, but another forehand error sets up a second. Sinner wins it, and goes up two sets to love!
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Sinner 5-2 Djokovic*. The set is slipping away from the Serb. Another double fault opens the Djokovic service game. It’s his third. Then another backhand wide and it’s 0-30. This match is an hour old but the world No 1 fans know and love has barely been seen. Two strong serves and a forehand error from Sinner gives Djokovic some momentum, but then the aggressive Italian pushes it to deuce on another advance. A Djokovic error on his forehand sets up another break point.
The Serb is at his best to find the winner against the mobile Sinner, saving one break point, and he knows he was fortunate. Djokovic calls to the crowd with his arms for them to get more involved. “Novak, Novak”, they respond. But then … Djokovic’s lob goes centimetres long, and it’s another break point. And Djokovic hits another forehand long. It’s a double break!
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Sinner* 4-2 Djokovic. Djokovic shakes his head and looks to the sky when he hits another backhand into the tape. He then hits a crosscourt forehand wide. Murmurs in Rod Laver Arena – they are shocked at this display. Immediately afterwards, another backhand pushed wide. And then Djokovic can’t get his return back, and Sinner holds to love.
Sinner 3-2 Djokovic*. Sinner smashes a forehand winner down the line to go up 0-15, but the Serb hits back with an inside out forehand. Three big serves give Djokovic some breathing room, and at 40-15 he holds. It’s a start, but he’s got lots of work to do.
Sinner* 3-1 Djokovic. Gosh, Sinner starts with an ace and looks all business. Next up, a serve wide to Djokovic’s backhand, and the Serb can’t get it back. Down 30-0, Djokovic seems to have control of the point, then hits a backhand into the net. Sinner holds again, and it’s looking easy.
Sinner 2-1 Djokovic*. Djokovic hits another forehand long, then Sinner gets the better of a rally and finds a winner at the net. It’s 15-30 and again Djokovic is in strife. The next point, a backhand into the tape and it’s 15-40. Seconds later, Djokovic tries to hit a backhand deep, but pushes it too far. Extraordinary, another break!
Sinner* 1-1 Djokovic. Sinner holds comfortably, but there are signs of life from Djokovic. Down 30-0, he finds a 155km/h forehand winner to remind his opponent who he’s playing against. He goes for a backhand down the opposite side the following point that just catches the tape.
Sinner 0-1 Djokovic*. Finally, a straightforward service game from Djokovic, and he goes up early in the second set. It’s just his second hold of the match, and there are concerned looks from Goran Ivanišević and his colleagues in Djokovic’s box.
Djokovic is in a hole. He has 15 unforced errors in that set, compared to just four from Sinner. He’s serving at just 43%, and he’s losing more points on serve than he’s winning.
Sinner takes the first set 6-1
Rod Laver Arena is shocked by a dominant performance by the Italian. He was untroubled on serve, and broke the world No 1 twice. On his second set point, he powers a serve down the T to take control of the point, and Djokovic hits a forehand long. That’s the Italian’s 16th set in a row at the tournament.
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Sinner 5-1 Djokovic*. The world No 1 still doesn’t seem right, and starts the game with a double fault, then he pushes a straightforward backhand wide. At 0-30 again, finally Djokovic hits a strong crosscourt backhand to Sinner’s backhand to win a point. But he goes there again seconds later, and the Italian is ready. Sinner forces an error from Djokovic at the net, and all of a sudden it’s 15-40. Djokovic hits a backhand long, and Sinner has a double break!
*Sinner 4-1 Djokovic. A splendid forehand down the line gets Sinner to 15-0, and then he benefits from a net cord to finish with a volley. His confidence is clearly high, but he tries a drop-shot at 30-0 that doesn’t quite clear the net. Djokovic comes to the net at 40-15 and forces an error from Sinner, but the Italian takes the game with an ace wide on the ad side of the court.
Sinner 3-1 Djokovic*. The Serb looks to be finding his groove, and goes up 30-0 quickly. But Sinner’s baseline defence is forcing the top seed to look for shots. Djokovic misses a forehand to go down 30-40, before winning the following two points. But then he misses a backhand to a similar location. He gets away with the game and is on the board, but it’s a slow start. Djokovic has nine unforced errors.
*Sinner 3-0 Djokovic. Dare we say it? The Italian looks comfortable. An ace puts him up 40-0, and he wins the game not long after. He’s dropped just two points on his serve so far.
Sinner 2-0 Djokovic*. A double fault puts the world No 1 down 0-30, heaping pressure on in his first service game. Djokovic catches the line on an approach in the subsequent point, and finishes with an overhead. But Sinner forces an error on Djokovic’s forehand to go up 30-40. A long rally ends with a winner by the Italian. We have an early break!
*Sinner 1-0 Djokovic. The first point is a long rally, but Sinner finds the net with a backhand. The Italian steadies and goes up 40-15, thanks to a couple of Djokovic unforced errors. In the end, a comfortable hold.
Players are on Rod Laver Arena for this semi-final showdown, Djokovic’s first-ever daytime semi-final at an Australian Open. The Djoker is wearing blue sorts and a white shirt, hatless as always. Sinner has navy shorts and a two-tone shirt, white cap pulled low over his ginger tousles. It’s a full house and we’re in high sun here in Melbourne.
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Djokovic beat Sinner in their most recent grand slam meeting. At Wimbledon last year, their semi-final ended in straight sets, before the Serb lost the final to Carlos Alcaraz. Since then however, the Italian has held the upper hand, winning two of their three singles clashes. The last time they played singles, in the Davis Cup semi-finals, Sinner won 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. Both players then backed up in the doubles clash that decided that tie. Italy went on to beat Australia in the final to win the Davis Cup.
Sinner is onto Rod Laver Arena first. Djokovic is out not long after to more cheers, but also more boos. The stadium seats almost 15,000 and it’s quickly filling up. The temperature is forecast to top out at 21 degrees Celsius and we’re pretty much there, with the sun peeping through clouds from time to time. Warm-ups are underway.
22-year-old Sinner looms as Djokovic’s toughest test yet. The Italian is enjoying his best run at the Australian Open, and his equal best run at a slam, after he also reached the semis at Wimbledon last year. He is the only man not to have dropped a set in the tournament so far.
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Stop the press! The Australian Open has announced the ball-kids of the tournament. Lucy Higgins wins the top ball-girl, and William Ashcroft is the top ball-boy. Both are grinning wildly in their legionnaires’ hats. We are not far away from Djokovic and Sinner entering Rod Laver Arena.
Hsieh Su-wei and Jan Zieliński are receiving their trophies in a ceremony on Rod Laver Arena. Nine-time doubles grand slam winner Judy Dalton is on hand to present the silverware. To Skupski, Zieliński says: “Sorry, it’s my first time, I’m going to be a little bit more happy this time”. The Polish player says he and Hsieh only teamed up at the last minute, just prior to the tournament. “We found each other on the looking list and it worked out pretty well.”
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Djokovic has continued his extraordinary run at the Australian Open this year. The 36-year-old has won the title 10 times, making it by far his most successful slam. In total he has claimed the crown at 24 majors. If he wins today, he will reach his 37th grand slam singles final, and record victory in his 367th grand slam match – tying Serena Williams in second place. Only Roger Federer, with 369, has won more matches at slams.
Along the way, Djokovic has drawn inspiration from some unlikely sources…
The mixed doubles trophy presentation is underway on Rod Laver Arena. Defeated Neal Skupski congratulates Jan Zieliński on his first grand slam title, and to Hsieh Su-wei he says, “you’ve got plenty, and good luck in the women’s final tomorrow”.
Hsieh and Zieliński win mixed doubles
Third seeds Hsieh Su-wei and Jan Zieliński have claimed the Australian Open mixed doubles title. The pair overcame 2nd seeds Neal Skupski and Desirae Krawczyk on Rod Laver Arena this afternoon 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 11-9 in one hour and 57 minutes. The Taiwanese-Polish duo had to fight back after losing the first-set, and held their nerve in the match tie-break despite giving up a 6-2 lead. Hsieh has a chance to win another title in the women’s doubles, where she and partner Elise Mertens have reached the final. Their opponents will be decided this afternoon in a semi-final on Margaret Court Arena.
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On Thursday, the women’s singles finalists were locked in. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka ousted 4th seed Coco Gauff 7-6 (2), 6-4 in a high-quality encounter. The Belarusian’s return to the second Saturday at Melbourne Park is no surprise, but her opponent is. 21-year-old Chinese player Qinwen Zheng was seeded 12 for the tournament, but a series of upsets cleared her path to the final, and she is yet to meet another seeded player. Their much-anticipated clash will take place on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night.
Preamble
Hello from men’s semi-final day at Melbourne Park. This afternoon world No 1 Novak Djokovic takes on 4th seed Jannik Sinner, before Daniil Medvedev (3) and Alexander Zverev (6) meet in the evening session. Djokovic and Sinner are due to take to Rod Laver Arena no earlier than 2.30pm local time. The later match is due to start at 7.30pm at the earliest.
