It’s semi-final time in the men’s singles draw at the Australian Open.
Rising Italian star Jannik Sinner will be taking on the force that is Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park in the first of two clashes at Rod Laver Arena on Friday.
Can the No. 4 seed reach his first grand slam final, or will the world No. 1 continue his push for an historic 11th Australian Open title?
Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner match start time
The Australian Open semi-final between Djokovic and Sinner will start at approximately 2:45pm (AEDT) at Rod Laver Arena on Friday, January 26.
The Sporting News is following the Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner match live, providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as it happens.
Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner live score
Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | |
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 1 | 1 | |
[4] Jannik Sinner (ITA) | 6 | 0* |
*Denotes server
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Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner live updates, highlights and commentary
*Denotes server
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 |