Australian Open's king has been vanquished as 10-time champion Novak Djokovic was eliminated by Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals at Rod Laver Arena on Friday.
The Italian fourth seed blitzed the world no.1 before withstanding a fightback to win 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3 in three hours, 22 minutes and reach his first Grand Slam final.
For Djokovic, it was his first-ever loss in a semi-final at Melbourne Park and his first loss at the tournament since 2018.
It was uncharacteristic unforced errors that killed Djokovic through the match, making 54 to 28 across the four sets.
Sinner won the first two sets comfortably but was made to work for the win as Djokovic fought back in the third set.
The world no.4 had a match point in the third set tiebreaker before Djokovic saved it and went on to clinch the set.
However, Sinner secured an early break in the fourth set and held his nerve to eventually serve it out.
He will meet the winner of Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev in Sunday's final.
The Sporting News followed the Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner match live, providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as it happened.
Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner final score
| Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | |
| [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 1 | 2 | 6(8) | 3 |
| [4] Jannik Sinner (ITA) | 6 | 6 | 6(6) | 6 |
*Denotes server
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Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner live updates, highlights and commentary
*Denotes server
GAME, SET, MATCH SINNER! Djokovic 1-6 2-6 7-6(6) 3-6 Sinner*
Serving for the match, Sinner nets. 0-15. Novak, couldn't..could he? Sinner gets the serve/winner combo. 15-15. Double fault. Wow. Timing. 15-30. Sinner is tight here. The champ is on the canvas. Will he get back up? Sinner delivers an ace. Wow. 30-30. Huge point here. Novak returns long. Second match point for Sinner. Sinner gets it. Forehand winner. Wow. Amazing.
Djokovic* 1-6 2-6 7-6(6) 3-5 Sinner
Djokovic clips the back of the line before Sinner goes long. 15-0. Unreturned serve. 30-0. Djokovic drills a forehand winner after drawing the short shot from Sinner. 40-0. Easy hold for the world no.1. Sinner to serve for a place in the final.
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 7-6(6) 2-5 Sinner*
Djokovic hits long to give Jannik the first point. 15-0. An unreturned serve. Barely on the line. 30-0. Both players make great shots but Sinner comes out on top as Djokovic nets. 40-0. Sinner serves and volleys and Djokovic can't make the pass. Game. One from the final now.
Djokovic* 1-6 2-6 7-6(6) 2-4 Sinner
Novak goes to the drop shot again. This time Sinner flips it long. 15-0. Djokovic nets. 15-15. Novak delivers an ace down the T. 30-15. Djokovic moves Sinner around and forces the error. 40-15. Sinner's turn for the drop shot but Djokovic gets there and hits a winner. Game. New balls.
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 7-6(6) 1-4 Sinner*
Novak executes the drop shot once again but Sinner gets there and flips the clean winner. 15-0. Djokovic goes another drop shot but it's into the net. 30-0. Djokovic's sizzling forehand can't be returned by the Italian. 30-15. Novak gets another point as Sinner goes long. He is fighting hard here. 30-30. Djokovic just hits the return long. 40-30. Novak gets the return deep and Sinner nets. Deuce. What a second serve by Sinner. Djokovic just gets it back but the world no.4 smashes a forehand winner. Adv Sinner. Djokovic attacks the second serve, gets the ascendency and forces the error from Sinner. Deuce. Excellent serve from Sinner sets up the eventual smash. Adv Sinner. The second serve just hits the line and Novak hits it long. Sinner consolidates the break. Two games from the final.
Djokovic* 1-6 2-6 7-6(6) 1-3 Sinner
Sinner's return flies just long. 15-0. Sinner nets. 30-0. Sinner defends well, tries the backhand pass but misses narrowly. 40-0. Sinner gets to the drop shot and flings it cross court for a winner. Excellent play. 40-15. Djokovic nets. Is he letting Sinner back in? 40-30. Novak nets and from 40-0 up, it's deuce. Double fault from Djokovic. Wow. Break point from nowhere for the Italian. Novak hits long and Sinner secures an early break in the fourth.
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 7-6(6) 1-2 Sinner*
Djokovic bunts the serve return wide. 15-0. Sinner making more errors now. He fires into the net. 15-15. Unreturned serve. 30-15. Djokovic nets. 40-15. Novak hits the drop shot and it bounces twice before Sinner can get there. 40-30. Sinner puts away the looped return. He holds.
Djokovic* 1-6 2-6 7-6(6) 1-1 Sinner
Novak makes an early unforced error into the net. A lot of his broken serves have started this way. 0-15. Sinner makes an unbelievable pass. Crowd goes crazy. 0-30. The world no.1 relieves some pressure by serving an ace. 15-30. Djokovic balloons the forehand long. Two break points for the Italian fourth seed. Novak saves one despite Sinner's great defensive work. 30-40. An ace for Djokovic saves the second. Deuce. Djokovic nets after Sinner returns the serve. Adv Sinner. An unreturned serve saves it however. Deuce. Sinner nets. Adv Djokovic. Game Novak as Sinner hits wide.
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 7-6(6) 0-1 Sinner*
Novak nets the first point of the set. 15-0. Djokovic's drop shot falls short. 30-0. Djokovic nets again and Sinner looks poised for an easy hold. Excellent return from Djokovic. Sinner can only get a frame on it. 40-15. Ace for the Italian and he holds serve.
THIRD SET DJOKOVIC! Djokovic 1-6 2-6 7-6(6) Sinner
The champion gets off the canvas. He is still alive. Can he complete a remarkable comeback?
Tiebreak - Djokovic 8-6 Sinner
The Serbian gets the early mini break. However, an unforced error puts it back on serve. Djokovic gets his nose back in front after Sinner nets. 4-2. Djokovic bunts Sinner's serve long. 4-3 Djokovic. The world no.1 hits wide. 4-4. Sinner clubs a forehand winner. He is closing in. Up 5-4 with two serves to come. Novak makes the lob. What a shot. 5-5. Djokovic hits wide. 6-5 Sinner. Match point. Sinner nets it however. 6-6. Sinner misses the passing shot and it's set point Djokovic. Sinner hits long and Novak is back. He saves a match point.
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 6-6 Sinner*
Djokovic hits long on the backhand. Unforced error. 15-0. Sinner goes long trying to hit the backhand winner. 15-15. Djokovic bunts his serve return into the net. 30-15. Sinner serves an ace to bring up game point. The Italian makes the smash and we are going to a tiebreaker.
Djokovic* 1-6 2-6 6-5 Sinner
Djokovic hits long and it's first point on his serve to Sinner. 0-15. Sinner gets to the drop shot but with the open court, he flips it long. 15-15. Sinner shows great defence but Djokovic eventually directs the forehand winner. 30-15. Sinner delivers the forehand winner, attacking the second serve. 30-30. Djokovic has the Italian running and finishes it with a forehand. 40-30. Novak hits long and we are at deuce. Sinner wildly hits a backhand long when he was in a strong position in the rally. Adv Djokovic. The Serbian's turn to wildly hit long. Back to deuce. Game is delayed with a spectator getting medical assistance. Crowd is clapping in the region of the spectator getting medical assistance. The fan appears to be okay. We will resume shortly. Novak hits an ace on the resumption of play. Adv Djokovic. Novak gets the luck of the net cord and holds serve.
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 5-5 Sinner*
Sinner meekly hits into the net. 0-15. Sinner mashes the line with a forehand and Djokovic nets. That was close. 15-15. Serve/winner combo for Sinner. 30-15. Djokovic bunts long on the return. 40-15. Djokovic returns long. Game. New balls.
Djokovic* 1-6 2-6 5-4 Sinner
Few more errors creeping into Sinner's game. He nets. 15-0. The Italian goes for the forehand winner but hits the net. 30-0. Djokovic serves an ace out wide. 40-0. An unreturned serve seals the game for Djokovic. Can he get this set?
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 4-4 Sinner*
Djokovic hits the backhand long. Unforced error. 15-0. Sinner hits too deep in the rally. 15-15. Unreturned serve. 30-15. And another one. Sinner's serve has been magnificent under pressure. 40-15. The Serbian nets and Sinner holds.
Djokovic* 1-6 2-6 4-3 Sinner
Sinner barely misses the backhand pass. It drops wide. 15-0. Unreturned serve. 30-0. Sinner makes a deep return and Novak nets. 30-15. Sinner hits long in the rally. 40-15. Djokovic looking for a comfortable hold here. The world no.1 hits an ace and gets the easy hold.
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 3-3 Sinner*
Sinner executes the forehand smash. 15-0. Djokovic bunts the return long. 30-0. Another long return. 40-0. Easy hold looking on the cards for the Italian, once again. And another long return. Game Sinner.
Djokovic* 1-6 2-6 3-2 Sinner
Sinner nets the first point. 15-0. Djokovic looks like he is returning to better form. He clubs a forehand winner. 30-0. Another unforced error from Sinner. 40-0. Sinner hits a backhand winner off the serve. Djokovic thinks it is going long but it drops in. 40-15. An ace for the world no.1 closes the game out.
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 2-2 Sinner*
Sinner slams a forehand into the net. Glimmer for Novak. 0-15. Another one into the net for Sinner. 0-30. Is this where Djokovic makes his move? The Italian hits an ace out wide. 15-30. Djokovic nets after Sinner's ripping backhand. Back to 30-30. Djokovic gets a short ball but hits it long. 40-30. Novak nets and Sinner holds from 0-30 down.
Djokovic* 1-6 2-6 2-1 Sinner
Djokovic goes on the attack and forces Sinner to defend wide. 15-0. Unforced error backhand by Novak. Hits it long. 15-15. Unreturned serve. 30-15. Djokovic makes the touch volley after driving Sinner back. 40-15. Sinner nets and it's a rare easy hold for Novak.
Djokovic 1-6 2-6 1-1 Sinner*
Sinner delivers an ace. 15-0. Djokovic fires the forehand into the net. 30-0. An unreturned serve. 40-0. Another easy hold looming for Sinner. Djokovic nets the return of serve and it's a hold for Sinner to love.
Djokovic* 1-6 2-6 1-0 Sinner
Does Novak have any fight in him? Can he come back from two sets down? An unreturned serve gets him first point. 15-0. Djokovic drills into the net. 15-15. Once again the Serbian doesn't make it over the net. 15-30. Longest rally of the match and Sinner nets. 30-30. Sinner gets to the drop shot and flicks it past the world no.1. Break point. 30-40. Sinner just nets the passing shot. What a rally. Deuce. An unreturned serve gives Djokovic the advantage. Djokovic holds by getting to the drop shot and making his own drop shot crosscourt.
SECOND SET SINNER! Djokovic 1-6 2-6 Sinner*
Novak gets the first point as Sinner nets. 0-15. And the second is a repeat. Djokovic fighting here. 0-30. Unreturned serve. 15-30. Djokovic nets and Sinner pulls it back to 30-30. Djokovic nets and it's set point for the Italian. Huge. Sinner's defensive lob floats long. Deuce. Djokovic's return flies over the baseline. Adv Sinner. A second set point. Novak nets and that's the second set wrapped up.
Djokovic* 1-6 2-5 Sinner
A third double fault for Djokovic to start his service game. 0-15. Another unforced error on the backhand side. 0-30. Djokovic in deep trouble here. Unreturned serve relieves some pressure. 15-30. And another. 30-30. Sinner nets and it's game point for Novak. 40-30. Sinner crushes the forehand volley winner and we are at deuce. Djokovic hits his 26th unforced error. Break point Sinner. Adv Sinner. Djokovic saves it with an excellent forehand. The crowd try to get the Serbian up. Deuce. Djokovic lob goes just long and it's break point again for Sinner. Novak hits long and it;s another break for the Italian. Wow.
Djokovic 1-6 2-4 Sinner*
Novak gets the short ball but nets going for the winner. So many unforced errors for the world no.1. 15-0. Djokovic blazes a forehand wide. 30-0. Sinner has had almost no trouble on his serve so far. Another unforced error on the backhand side from Djokovic. 40-0. An unreturned serve goes Sinner the hold to love.
Djokovic* 1-6 2-3 Sinner
Sinner slaps a forehand winner to start Djokovic's serve. 0-15. Djokovic hits his own winner. 15-15. Unreturned serve. 30-15. Another serve Sinner can't get in play. 40-15. And a third for the world no.1 to get some momentum. Game.
Djokovic 1-6 1-3 Sinner*
Sinner hits an ace down the middle. 15-0. He is on fire at the moment. Novak has no answers. An unreturned serve. 30-0. Djokovic steps up the short ball but blasts it into the net. 40-0. Djokovic returns long and Sinner consolidates the break.
Djokovic* 1-6 1-2 Sinner
Sinner nets and nearly gets the lucky net cord again. 15-0. Djokovic hits long. 15-15. Sinner draw the short shot from Djokovic and puts away the forehand. 15-30. Djokovic drills into the net and it's two more break points for Sinner. 15-40. Djokovic hooks the backhand wide and Sinner breaks once again.
Djokovic 1-6 1-1 Sinner*
Sinner gets the lucky net cord winner. 15-0. Sinner delivers an ace down the T. 30-0. Djokovic looks more focused this set. He hits a backhand winner down the line. 30-15. Novak misses well wide with the backhand. Unusual for him. 40-15. An unreturned serve. Game Sinner.
Djokovic* 1-6 1-0 Sinner
What a surprising first set that was. Djokovic makes the volley winner. 15-0. Sinner fails to return the serve. 30-0. Sinner hits wide and Novak is looking at a comfortable hold. He was broken twice in the first set. But not this time as Sinner drills into the net.
FIRST SET SINNER! Djokovic 1-6 Sinner*
First two points are shared as Sinner tries to serve this out. 15-15. Djokovic nets twice to set up set points for Sinner. 40-15. But the Italian wildly hits long on the first. 40-30. But gets it on the second as Novak defends long. What a first set for the Italian. He means business.
Djokovic* 1-5 Sinner
Djokovic starts with another double fault. 0-15. Djokovic then steers a backhand wide. 0-30. Sinner nets. 15-30. Incredible net exchange. Sinner makes the tough volley and Novak volleys wide. 15-40.Djokovic hits long and Sinner breaks again. Wow.
Djokovic 1-4 Sinner*
Sinner hits an excellent backhand which Djokovic can only net. 15-0. Sinner makes the forehand volley at the net after a net cord brought him in. 30-0. Sinner hits the drop shot short. Djokovic was not chasing that. 30-15. Sinner just clips the line and Djokovic slams the running forehand wide. 40-15. Djokovic comes into the net, makes two volleys with Sinner only able to defend wide. 40-30. The Italian delivers an ace to close out the game.
Djokovic* 1-3 Sinner
Sinner drills into the net. 15-0. Once again, the Italian hits the net. 30-0. Novak has a backhand go beyond the baseline. 30-15. Novak nets after Sinner got himself into the point. 30-30. Djokovic guides the forehand wide and it's another break chance for the Italian. 30-40. Djokovic saves it with the serve/winner combo. Deuce. Excellent drop volley made by Djokovic. Class. Adv Djokovic. But an unforced error from Novak brings it back to deuce. The world no.1 forces Sinner to hit short. Adv Djokovic. Sinner misses the passing shot wide and Novak is on the board.
Djokovic 0-3 Sinner*
Djokovic hits the backhand long. 15-0. The reigning champion then misses the passing shot wide. 30-0. Sinner hits an ace down the middle. Commanding start from the Italian. 40-0. Sinner's defence to Djokovic's attack floats long. 40-15. Djokovic returns long. Game Sinner. Hot start for the world no. 4.
Djokovic* 0-2 Sinner
Sinner nabs the first point with Djokovic hitting deep. 0-15. Double fault from the top seed. 0-30. Early look for Sinner here. Djokovic fights back but completing the winning smash. 15-30. Unreturned serve. Djokovic fights back. 30-30. Djokovic drills into the net. First break point to the fourth seed. 30-40. Sinner runs Djokovic around and makes the swinging forehand volley. Break.
Djokovic 0-1 Sinner*
Long rally for the first point. Novak defends well and Sinner ends up netting. 0-15. Djokovic drags a forehand wide. 15-15. The world no.1 hits a backhand wide. Same place as the last forehand. 30-15. Djokovic hits the second serve return long. 40-15. Sinner executes a brilliant serve and ends up forcing the Serbian to net.
Start
Novak Djokovic won the toss and chose to receive.
2:45pm: Djokovic leads the H2H 4-2, but Sinner beat the world no.1 twice on hardcourt in November last year.
2:43pm: Two minutes of the warm-up to go.
2:40pm: Jannik Sinner has entered the court to a huge cheer from the crowd. Novak Djokovic follows to a similar reception. What a match this is going to be.
2:30pm: Players are still yet to be out on court. However, the announcer is getting ready to welcome the combatants.
2:10pm: The mixed doubles presentation is still to come so there might be a slight further delay for the Djokovic-Sinner match.
1:55pm: This match will likely start about 2:30pm (AEDT), with the mixed doubles final about to wrap up with the deciding super tiebreak on Rod Laver Arena.
1:50pm: Sinner is yet to drop a set at Australian Open 2024, with wins against three seeded players - Andrey Rublev (no.5), Karen Khachanov (no.15) and Sebastian Baez (no.26)
1:40pm: Djokovic is the warm favourite to progress to his 11th Australian Open final - a match he has never lost at Melbourne Park.
1:30pm (AEDT): Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of this Australian Open men's singles semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.
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How to watch Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner: TV channel, live stream
The first men's singles semi-final is set to begin at 2:30 pm AEDT on Friday, January 26.
Here's a breakdown of the TV channels and live streams showing the match in the major territories around the world:
| Country | TV Channel | Live Stream |
| USA | ESPN, Tennis Channel | Fubo , ESPN+ |
| Canada | RDS, TSN | TSN Direct |
| UK | Eurosport | discovery+ |
| Australia | Channel Nine | Stan Sport |
