Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner live score, result, highlights from Wimbledon 2023 men’s semi final as masterful Nole wins in straight sets

By | July 14, 2023
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Novak Djokovic found yet more imperious form to beat Jannick Sinner in straight sets and reach a ninth Wimbledon final.

Djokovic is going for a record-equalling eighth men’s singles title at SW19 and encountered few of the problems he did when he had to come from two sets down to beat Sinner in last year’s quarterfinals.

Sinner, the 21-year-old eighth seed, produced plenty of aggressive and enterprising tennis but his error count spiralled as he succumbed 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4).

Djokovic, who will attempt to match Margaret Court’s all-time grand slam singles titles record of 24 on Sunday, repelled three break points in the first set and took the only one on offer from his opponent in the second game.

It was a similar story in the second set when the only break went Djokovic’s way and he played the big points with aplomb against a foe whose thirst for winners was an asset but too often his undoing.

The reigning champion completed an unusually complicated hold in the fourth game of the set when the umpire penalised him for “hindrance” on account of a full-throated yelp when he speared a backhand down the line.

Typically, Djokovic used that brief flicker of adversity as fuel. His first-serve percentage dipped to 58% over the course of the contest but his appetite for the big points was insatiable in a display underpinned by his frequently impregnable defence.

Sinner engineered a couple of break points on the Djokovic serve at 4-5 in the third set but he was unable to capitalise, as was the case when the errors flowed after collecting the first mini-break during the decisive breaker. In this mood, anything short of flawless tennis is likely to leave Djokovic untroubled.

MORE: Tennis’ top grand slam winners of all-time: Who has won the most titles?

Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner final score

  1 2 3
Novak Djokovic (2) 6 6 7 (7)
Jannik Sinner (8) 3 4 6 (4)

Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner as it happened, highlights from Wimbledon 2023

*Denotes server

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 7-6 (7-4) Jannik Sinner — TIEBREAK: NOVAK DJOKOVIC WINS IN STRAIGHT SETS!!!

A fault and Sinner is all over the point, only to clatter another unforced forehand error into the net. Two match points. Sinner’s backhand into the net and another of the young pretenders is downed by the master in straight sets. On the scoreboard, Sinner was nowhere near as competitive as he was in last year’s quarterfinal, where he won the first two sets. But he played some fine tennis here. There were too many errors, but that’ll happen when going for the win against Djokovic in such flawless and imperious form. He’ll take some stopping on Sunday, whether the dubious pleasure falls to Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 6-6 (5-4) Jannik Sinner — TIEBREAK

Dodgy old net chord for Djokovic to contend with but he keeps his composure magnificently at the net. A backhand volley out of the top drawer. Sinner responds with a blistering winner of his own and it’s Djokovic’s turn to tumble to the turf. That looked a pretty painful one. Sinner nets and Djokovic has two points on serve to claim the match.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 6-6 (3-3) Jannik Sinner — TIEBREAK

Big serve out wide to the backhand from Sinner and that’s not coming back. Then a double fault! That’s so silly, he really seemed to rush into a big second attempt there. All square again in terms of mini-breaks. Sinner’s backhand goes long for 3-3 and the slippery feet are back. He whacks his shoes with his racquet frame at the change of ends.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 6-6 (1-2) Jannik Sinner — TIEBREAK

Djokovic’s return goes long and Sinner is on the board first. Then a backhand return winner from a second serve gives the Italian the first mini-break. Djokovic appears troubled, perhaps by something in his left eye. Serve goes long and he fiddles with it again. A big second serve does the job for 1-2 before he pulls his shirt over his face.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 6-6 Jannik Sinner 

Djokovic goes wide with a backhand cross-court to suggest a sniff of a chance at 15-15. Sinner punches a brilliant backhand down the line after stretching to return and Djokovic is long. The next serve dies on the line and we’re a point away from a tie-break. Let, fault… then a glorious forehand. To the breaker we go!

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 5-6 Jannik Sinner*

Hello! Djokovic leaves himself exposed and Sinner pings a doozy of a pass. He’s played some tennis for a guy who might be about to lose in straight sets. A double fault that pegs him back to 30-15 does give some indication of why. The errors have been too frequent. Nevertheless, it’s a very tidy hold to 15 overall to pass the pressure back onto Novak for now.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 5-5 Jannik Sinner

Djokovic long with a forehand for 15-15 and now Sinner gets the chance to look at a second serve. The return is a moster and Novak can only net. Sinner is two points from the set. Surely not? Oh my word! Djokovic dictates but than slaps his forehand wide and Sinner has two set points. First serve into the net, the crowd murmur and now Djokovic claps the ball on the racquet and goes for a little walk. Back in position, it’s to Sinner’s backhand. The Italian is into the rally but goes wide on the same wing! Djokovic picks one up from the baseline next point and Sinner whips a forehand wide. Nerveless defence from the champion.

Deuce and a fault. Sinner has a forehand called long and he challenges. It was way out, a clear sign of frustration at the huge chances that have just passed him by. Djokovic’s latest second serve is right on the line and he takes care of business. A monumental, gripping hold.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 4-5 Jannik Sinner*

Sinner crushes another forehand with heavy top-spin for 30-0. Wonderful shot. Djokovic goes wide but then produces a frankly nonsensical backhand return winner to extend the game. Not for too long though.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 4-4 Jannik Sinner

An outrageous passing shot from Sinner for 0-15. Oh, and he should challenge here. His shot to the baseline clipped the line before Djokovic netted. He doesn’t and it’s 40-15 in the blink of an eye.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 3-4 Jannik Sinner*

A net cord helps Sinner out and Djokovic sends a backhand into the tramlines. He does so again and that’s a lesser-spotted hold to love.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 3-3 Jannik Sinner

Emphatic from Sinner, who drives Djokovic deep down the backhand side before dispatching his own forehand into the open court. He’d probably be going rather well against a sporting mortal here. A netted forehand for 40-15 goes down as a missed opportunity for the 21-year-old. Djokovic seals the game. He’s serving wonderfully now.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 2-3 Jannik Sinner*

Djokovic runs Sinner all over the court before producing an almost mocking drop shot. Sinner successfully challenges a call that would have left him nursing double fault and 0-30. He makes the most of the let-off by unleashing a peach down the line. 100 mph. Woof! Djokovic keeps the pressure on by sending Sinner deep and it’s 30-30. An unsuccessful challenge against the Sinner serve means it’s game point. He gets over the line but those more routine holds of the first couple of sets are a fading memory.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 2-2 Jannik Sinner

More pedal-to-the-metal forehand work before Sinner hits one with the frame. Then Djokovic nets for 30-30. The next serve is on the money and he mops up the point before Sinner climbs into a backhand return winner when he gets a look at a second serve. Djokovic follows an unreturnable with one into the net. Sinner cross-court with the backhand this time and that ploy is not as effective.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 1-2 Jannik Sinner*

Glorious sliced backhand down the line from Djokovic, fading away and that’s 0-30. Sinner is struggling for hs footing again and nets backhand. Huge, huge problems for the Italian at 0-40. He certainly didn’t need the longest rally of the match, with some ferocious backhand work from both men. Djokovic eventually goes long and a big serve saves break point two. And again, Djokovic’s stretching backhand sails out. Deuce. The next serve goes long but he drives fine forehand into the corner to earn advantage. A booming ace gets Sinner out of the woods, that’s impressive stuff.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 1-1 Jannik Sinner

Djokovic turns in another lesson in precision serving. Nothing to encourage Sinner in that game.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 0-1 Jannik Sinner*

Sinner stands at base camp of the most daunting mountain in sport. He slaps away a forehand to hold to 30 and Centre Court gives him a warm ovation. They want to see a contest here.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 Jannik Sinner — DJOKOVIC WINS THE SECOND SET

Djokovic serving for the set and starts with an ace. Sinner cramped on the next one and his return lands in the tramline. Bish, bash, bosh 40-0 and three set points. A game as uncompetitive as the one that sealed Djokovic the first set so far. A fault and then Sinner gets the merest foothold. Ah, there it is. An ace for the second set.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 Jannik Sinner*

A cheeky little lob in at the net from Djokovic leaves Sinner in no man’s land. The youngster is still in control of this game as his opponent goes long for 40-15. Oh, behave Novak! A tracer-bullet of backhand pass down the line. Unplayable. Credit to Sinner for shrugging that off and making Djokovic serve out.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-3 Jannik Sinner

New balls seemingly encourage Sinner to put even more sauce on his forehands before some contrastingly delicate work at the net secures the first point of the game. Djokovic pushes him back for 15-15 before sending down an unreturnable. Sinner gets into the next rally and throws the kitchen sink and several other utility items at a forehand that’s just off target. Djokovic nets after a second serve and then engages in some odd chin-based sign language with coach Goran Ivanesevic in his box. Maybe ball-toss related? Either way, it feels like sound advice as Sinner can’t get the next serve back and it’s 5-3

Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-3 Jannik Sinner*

Not for the first time, Sinner hooks an ugly forehand wide and it’s 0-30. Djokovic pummels several cross-court forehands and has Sinner where he wants him, only to go long. Now Sinner goes wide on the backhand and here are two more break points. Djokovic errs, sending a forehand beyond the baseline and Sinner gets into the court to bring us to deuce. A long return and an ace and, for the first time, the Sinner serve stands up to a crisis in this match.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-2 Jannik Sinner

Sinner produces the sort of defence Djokovic can be proud of before turning the tables with a brutal backhand that Novak can only net on the volley. The seven-time Wimbledon king gets to 30-15 before getting passes unfussily at the net. Sinner’s following cross-court return goes wide. He has a very decent highlights reel from this match but he’d trade all of that for a break of serve. Into the net from the Italian and it’s deuce. He needs more of that, which means backhands such as the one he just clipped wide are an occupational hazard. Advantage Djokovic and Sinner goes long.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-2 Jannik Sinner*

An incident-free hold for Sinner. They all have been apart from the two times he’s been broken, which says a lot for Djokovic’s unmatched feel for the big moments.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-1 Jannik Sinner

A spectacular point with both men balletic at the net but Sinner gets free to put a backhand away for 15-15. Oh my, hang on! Djokovic make a big, throaty yelp when spearing a backhand into the corner and he’s been called for “hindrance” by the umpire. Point to Sinner. Oof, Novak is liable to blow his top if he gets broken here. Oh, he stays cool for some exceptional net play and panther-like movement to get to game point. An excellent backhand down the line from Sinner means the argument will continue. The Italian drags the champion into a baseline battle and Djokovic goes long to cough up a break point.

Oh dear, oh dear, Sinner set point up wonderfully with some ferocious trading from the back of the court, only to net the forehand chance when it game. Now Djokovic gets a talking to for talking too long to serve. The next change of ends will be spicy! The problem for Sinner is that he plays the most clinical points when he’s angry. A very big and, at times, bizarre hold of serve.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 2-1 Jannik Sinner*

Problems for Sinner, whose first double fault of the match makes it 0-30. Now he thumps a backhand long and here are three break points that have arrived far too easily. Fault, Djokovic’s eyes light up a little more but now he goes beyond the baseline. Sinner’s perilously close to another double there but he dispatches an excellent winner. Almost out of the woods… first serve is long, Djokovic gets in control of the rally and Sinner goes long! Mountain to climb now for the Italian. You just cannot throw that sort of error-strewn game in against this man.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 1-1 Jannik Sinner

At 15-15 and facing a second serve, this could be a chance for Sinner. His return isn’t as precise as it could be, however, and Djokovic shows some lovely touch at the net to win the point. Fault again from Novak and he then goes wide with a backhand. Again Sinner blows a potential chance by getting into the rally and then whacking a backhand way out. He successfully challenges a Djokovic serve that was called in, though. Both men test out the net chord, Sinner shanks one and the champion gets out of an awfully scruffy service game.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 0-1 Jannik Sinner*

Sinner’s reluctance to go down the line on his forehand still feels a little problematic but he dispatches one across Djokovic with aplomb there. He goes long for 30-30 and really cannot afford to drop serve early in a set again. An ace does half of the job and another serve is bang on the money to tee up a forehand winner.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 Jannik Sinner — DJOKOVIC WINS THE FIRST SET

Sinner does brilliantly to keep the first serve of the game in play and a thumping backhand helps hin to win the point. A trio of aces follow for three set points. He only needs one as Sinner puts the return into the net. The key stats from that set as Djokovic 1/1 break points and Sinner 0/3.

Novak Djokovic 5-3 Jannik Sinner*

Perhaps it’s the baseline at that end because they changed after the previous game and now Djokovic is on the turf. Sinner is similarly in control of this one when they’re both upright and he’ll make Novak serve this one out.

*Novak Djokovic 5-2 Jannik Sinner

A Djokovic forehand is called out but he’s right to challenge as it clipped the baseline. The champion can’t get a volley away and Sinner gleefully puts a forehand past him. Not much to recommend for the world No. 8 after that, who has more trouble with his footing and Djokovic thunders down an ace to move within touching distance of the set.

Novak Djokovic 4-2 Jannik Sinner*

Since dropping it at the first time of asking, Sinner has looked the more secure on his serve. Admittedly, that’s some caveat but he looks very good when holding to love here.

*Novak Djokovic 4-1 Jannik Sinner

Djokovic again, serving in his 46th career grand slam semifinal. That’s a ridiculous thing, isn’t it? Sinner gets into a rally on the back of a second serve and Djokovic errs, going long. 30-30. Some scintillating work off the backhand wing earns Sinner his third break point and a first to break back. Djokovic’s first serve is way wide down the mind. Oh, that’s the wrong call. Sinner was on top in the rally but when cross-court and wide with the forehand when the shot down the line was absolutely on. Djokovic closes the door from there, rounding the game off with an ace.

Novak Djokovic 3-1 Jannik Sinner*

Sinner has produced brilliant moments in all three games so far but desperately needs to hold here. He does, with authority to 15, which is very helpful. However, the point he lost was another forehand in the slot that he spanked into the net. The need to be aggressive against Djokovic is obvious but he needs to get that working a little better.

*Novak Djokovic 3-0 Jannik Sinner

That’s one way to shrug it off – Sinner hits a dreamy backhand across Djokovic at the net that his opponent can do nothing about. His backhand slice in the next point goes a fraction long and he nets as Djokovic moves ahead. The power of Sinner’s returns coming forward on the second serve can really do damage, though. Handily for Djokovic, he gets a first serve in at 40-30 to put another on the board.

Novak Djokovic 2-0 Jannik Sinner*

It’s greasy out there and, as he goes 30-15 behind, Djokovic looks ruefully down at his footwear. Sinner mashes a forehand into the net, which is an occupational hazard when you’re absolutely going for all of them. Hmmm, this one goes wide and it’s break point Djokovic. Not a great time for a fault. Brilliant from Djokovic, who get his return deep, pushes Sinner across with the forehand and sees his opponent hook it wide. After saving two break points in the first game, that’s stinging blow landed by the champion.

*Novak Djokovic 1-0 Jannik Sinner

Djokovic gets us underway under the roof. Early encouragement for Sinner as the champion stretches and can’t make a backhand volley. Now Djokovic goes wide on a fairly routine forehand. 30-30 and a second serve for the Italian to look at. In he comes, forehand winner and Sinner has a break point. Excellent, precision first serve helps him to dominate the point for deuce. A really high-quality rally follows, Sinner is really climbing into his forehand and one clocking an astonishing 104 mph earns break point number two. Fault! They feel each other out again but this time Sinner nets. 

First serve percentage certainly not where Djokovic wants it to be in this opener but he gets a backhand deep and Sinner lofts out, earning a first game point. Sinner whips his latest forehand wide and his history-chasing foe gets out of a little epic.

1:30 p.m. GMT/ 8:30 a.m. ET: The players will be on court imminently. Both won their quarterfinals in four, with Djokovic dropping the opener to Andrey Rublev and Sinner being pegged back to a set apiece before going 6-2 6-2 against Roman Safiullin.

1 p.m. GMT/ 8 a.m. ET: So, will it be repeat or revenge? Djokovic, as is the case pretty much whenever he goes on court nowadays, is the strong favourite. But Sinner gave him hell before the quarterfinal between the two last year went the distance. Luxuriate in the highlights below before we get underway. Djokovic and Sinner haven’t met since.

12:30 p.m. GMT/ 7:30 a.m. ET: Hello and welcome to our coverage of men’s semifinals day at Wimbledon. Ons Jabeur and Marketa Vondrousova booked their places in Saturday’s women’s final and first up on Centre Court today Novak Djokovic will aim to stay on course for a third major this year when he takes on Jannik Sinner.

The 21-year-old Italian is one of the sport’s most exciting young stars. The best of the bunch will be up after Djokovic and Sinner, with Carlos Alcaraz facing Daniil Medvedev in the second semifinal. Buckle up: it promises to be an epic day at SW19.

MORE: Ons Jabeur vs. Aryna Sabalenka result, highlights as Tunisian reaches second successive Wimbledon final in 2023

How to watch Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon 2023 in USA

Wimbledon matches will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks in the United States. There are several ways to live stream the tournament: ESPN+, the ESPN app, or Fubo, which offers a free trial.

How to watch Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon 2023 in the UK

Wimbledon remains available to watch on free-to-air television in the United Kingdom. Live matches will air on BBC One, BBC Two and the BBC Red Button. Viewers can also choose up to 18 courts to watch through their smart TVs and also on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app.

Wimbledon is also shown on Eurosport to UK viewers. Eurosport will broadcast the Championships every day on Eurosport 1 daily and then via highlights. Coverage will be available on the Discovery + streaming platform and on Eurosport online, too. 

How to watch Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon 2023 in Australia

The 2023 edition of Wimbledon is being broadcast live and free by Nine. The action is being shown on either Channel 9 or their secondary channel 9Gem, depending on the session and time.

Every match of Wimbledon 2023 can be live-streamed in Australia on paid subscription service Stan Sport. Selected matches are available in 4K. 

Fans can also stream the action for free via 9Now, which shows the standard free-to-air broadcast.

MORE: Undesirable No.1: Why Novak Djokovic is the GOAT of men’s tennis, whether you like it or not

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