Key events
So on Sunday history will be made one way or the other, with Djokovic going for No 25 and Alcaraz going for the career slam. Djokovic did defeat Alcaraz in the Australian Open quarter-finals last year – but Alcaraz got his revenge in the US Open semi-finals, on his way to the title. But trying to break down and predict the final is a perilous job after what we’ve witnessed today. And is probably more than I can attempt to do after hours and hours and hours of typing. Many thanks for your company and contributions today, do join me again tomorrow for Sabalenka v Rybakina in the women’s final. Bye!
Tumaini Carayol
Here’s Tumaini’s take on what we’ve just seen:
Never before had Novak Djokovic been such an underdog in such a significant match. His mere presence in the Australian Open semi-finals, after all, had been the result of a significant slice of good fortune. As he faced off against one of the dominant players in his sport, for many a competitive match would be close enough to a win.
This special champion has achieved so much for so long, but in the early hours of Saturday morning the 38-year-old pulled off one of the greatest upsets of his legendary career, recovering from a two sets to one deficit to topple the two-time defending champion and second seed Jannik Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to improbably return to the Australian Open final.
No tennis player in the history of this sport has come even close to achieving the longevity that Djokovic commands. As he chases his record-extending 25th grand slam title, he has become the oldest man in the open era to reach the Australian Open final. Djokovic has now reached his 11th Australian Open final and 38th grand slam final overall, extending his all-time records in both categories.
Djokovic’s victory rounded off one of the great Australian Open semi-final days in history as, after so many uneventful, routine days, the tournament finally came alive with consecutive epic five set tussles. Djokovic will rekindle his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz in the final, with Djokovic aiming to become the oldest men’s grand slam champion in history while Alcaraz tries to become the youngest man in history to complete the career grand slam.
Confidence in Djokovic before the match was low for good reason. On Wednesday, he had been completely outplayed for two sets to Lorenzo Musetti, the fifth seed, before the Italian was forced to retire while leading two sets. This had been preceded by a withdrawal from the 16th seed Jakub Mensik in round two, meaning Djokovic had not even won a set since the third round.
You can read the rest here:
It’ll be Djokovic’s 11th Australian Open final, his 38th (!!) grand slam final and his first since Wimbledon in 2024. It’s also his first win over Sinner since 2023, and means we’ll have a first non-Sincaraz slam final since the Australian Open last year. Djokovic has made a career out of making the impossible possible, but if he pulls off winning this title surely it’ll be his most confounding victory of the lot.
Djokovic speaks:
It feels surreal. Playing almost four hours, coming close to 2am. I’m reminiscing about playing Rafa in 2012. The quality of tennis was extremely high and I knew this was the only way to win against him. He won the past five matches against me and I told him at the net thanks for allowing me this. He pushed me to the very limit. Tonight has been one of the – if not the best – support for me in Australia. I’m looking forward to seeing Carlos on Sunday, even though it feels as if I’ve won [the title] tonight. I hope I’ll have enough gas to stay toe to toe with him.
“One of the most extraordinary matches I’ve ever seen,” declares Tim Henman. And Djokovic doesn’t look as if he believes what he’s just done as he sinks to his knees on court before blowing kisses to the crowd and slumping into his chair totally exhausted. Sinner, meanwhile, has already departed, with his reign as Australian Open champion over. He’ll have many more years to add to his two titles in Melbourne and four slam titles overall, but for Djokovic this could be now or never for that record-breaking No 25, and that quest for undisputed GOAT-ness is what drove him to find a level we’ve not seen from him in many years.
Djokovic beats Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4!
Zverev was in exactly the same position as Djokovic is now in the first semi-final, remember, serving for the match at 5-4 in the fifth, and we all know what happened then. But Djokovic has demonstrated throughout his entire career that he’s a man for the biggest moments, and he moves to 15-0, 30-0. The crowd are chanting “NOLE, NOLE, NOLE” – I don’t know how, I’ve got my heart in my mouth. And maybe they do too when Sinner comes back for 30-15. But a sweetly struck forehand from Djokovic brings up 40-15, two match points. AND AFTER THE MOST NEVERENDING OF RALLIES DJOKOVIC NETS! AND THEN SINNER TAKES A POINT HE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT TO WIN! Somehow Sinner is still alive at deuce … but here’s a third MP AND THIS TIME DJOKOVIC TAKES IT WHEN SINNER SWATS WIDE! At the age of 38, Djokovic has defied age, ranking and logic with one of the performances of his life!
Fifth set: Djokovic* 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 5-4 Sinner (*next server)
Wow. This match. This day. I’m running out of superlatives for what we’ve seen. The quality has perhaps been even higher than the first semi-final; Sinner and Djokovic have hit just 18 unforced errors between them in this decider. It’s staggering stuff. And Sinner nervelessly holds to love, forcing Djokovic to serve this out …
Fifth set: Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 5-3 Sinner* (*next server)
But Sinner, like Alcaraz in the match before him, doesn’t know when he’s beaten … and he gets 0-30 on Djokovic’s serve after the most energy sapping of exchanges. Djokovic is doubled over again as he drops 0-40 down. This will be Sinner’s sixth break point in the fifth set. He hasn’t taken any of the previous ones. And he doesn’t take the sixth or seventh or eighth either! “Is it me, or is Novak Djokovic really quite competitive?” asks Paul Griffin in the understatement of the day/week/year/decade. This is now simply a battle of wills, and Djokovic’s will is >>>>>> Sinner’s as he hauls himself up from 0-40 down to not only back up the break but move to within one game of the final!
Djokovic breaks
Djokovic* 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 4-3 Sinner (*next server)
Sinner moves to 30-0. He’s 93% for first-serve points won in this set. It’s been a supreme serving display from him, and he’s still not been able to put away Djokovic. That’s how well Djokovic is playing; I can’t remember the last time I saw him hit his forehand this hard. Just as I unintentionally self-sabotage this game-by-game by spilling water over my keyboard. Such are the levels of tension/tiredness as the match clock ticks past three hours and 45 minutes – though they’re still nearly two hours (!) shy of Alcaraz’s win over Zverev earlier. Sinner appears to be cruising at 40-15 but Djokovic’s bid for history just won’t be denied and he comes back for deuce and then advantage! And the court shrinks for Sinner as his forehand misfires into the tramlines! Djokovic has the first break in this fifth set and is two holds from ending the Sincaraz grand slam final duopoly! This would be Djokovic’s first slam final since Wimbledon in 2024.
Fifth set: Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 3-3 Sinner* (*next server)
This is like an all-out turf war now: the young, two-time defending champion against the ageing 10-time former champ, and who will give ground first? An absorbing point at 15-all on Djokovic’s serve ends in the Serb’s favour. It’s staggering that Djokovic has produced this level of performance given he was two sets down against Musetti in the previous round before the Italian retired injured. He should be home now, rather than pushing Sinner to his limits. And 30-15 very quickly becomes game.
Fifth set: Djokovic* 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 2-3 Sinner (*next server)
Sinner has lost only one point on serve in this decider and he’s got even Djokovic clapping after a perfectly executed drop shot for 40-0. An ace out wide settles matters. Back to you, Nole …
Fifth set: Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 2-2 Sinner* (*next server)
Djokovic is staring down the barrel for his second successive service game at 15-40. Sinner is just 2-12 for break points converted in this match. And Djokovic, playing as if he’s been going for three minutes rather than three hours and 30 minutes, biffs away a backhand winner … followed by one on the forehand side! Deuce. Djokovic errs with his forehand to give Sinner a third break point. Could this be the decisive moment in the match? No, because once again Djokovic walks through walls and laughs in the face of adversity to not only survive break point No 3 but then hold for 2-2! This is like watching Djokovic and Rafa going at each other in the 2012 final.
Fifth set: Djokovic* 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 1-2 Sinner (*next server)
I think this is now arguably up there as Djokovic’s best grand slam performance since he last won a major at the 2023 US Open. And here’s Jeremy Boyce: “This is totally enthralling, as was the first semi. I have always thought of Novak as my go to guy if I ever needed to have someone taken out. He is the tennis equivalent of and the epitome of the cold, killer assassin, always ready for the job when the call comes in, and the price is right. What better price than that 25th slam?” Yup, if I had to pick someone to bet my house (or last Rolo) on, it would be peak Djokovic. But he can’t do anything to stop Sinner surging through on serve to love here, though.
Fifth set: Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 1-1 Sinner* (*next server)
This game is a microcosm of the whole match as Djokovic falls behind before somehow hauling himself back into contention. At 15-all, Sinner suddenly ups the ante, and with a vicious forehand winner the defending champ has two chances to break at 15-40. But Sinner spanks long on the first break point, and a serve bullet down the T saves the second! And Djokovic squeezes through from deuce!
Fifth set: *Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 0-1 Sinner (*next server)
I wonder when Djokovic last played a five-setter, it must have been a while ago …. and I’m a bit distracted trying to find out exactly when it was as Sinner advances to 30-15 on serve and then holds from there. Yes, it was two and a half years ago that Djokovic last played five sets. How much does he have left to give? Well he’s stretching his 38-year-old legs between almost every point now, but he’ll keep dragging his body back for more and more if it means he can close this match out and move to within one win of that record-breaking slam No 25. He promised before the match that he would fight until the last shot and he’s staying true to his word.
Djokovic wins the fourth set 6-4
Those were Sinner’s 20th and 21st aces of the evening. But Djokovic’s 10th ace gives him two set points at 40-15. A weak, wobbly second serve from Djokovic and Sinner gives it the treatment it deserves. That was edgy. And Sinner smacks Djokovic down with a bruising inside-out forehand winner on the second set point! Deuce. A squeaky shoed baseline rally full of jeopardy plays out … and Djokovic prevails! He’s got himself a third chance to take this to a decider. And he takes it when Sinner swats his forehand on the run into the net! Into a fifth they go and WHAT A DAY this is turning out to be at the Australian Open!
Fourth set: Djokovic* 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 5-4 Sinner (*next server)
So Sinner is serving to stay in the set and it’s 15-all. He’s perhaps got his heart in his mouth when he opts to leave Djokovic’s effort, which drops only just long. But there again, Sinner is so calm and composed, even when trying to deal with this Djokovic comeback, that he surely knew what he was doing. 30-15 becomes 40-15 courtesy of an ace, and 40-30 becomes game thanks to another.
Fourth set: Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 5-3 Sinner* (*next server)
At least Djokovic has the comfort of the crowd being on his side in this match. They’re urging him to fight back when he drops 15-30 down, and screaming loudly when he pulls an ace out of his pack for 30-all. He sends Sinner out wide with his next serve, attempts the one-two punch … but Sinner scrambles to his left to get it back … and then picks Djokovic with a backhand pass! 30-40, a break-back point for Sinner … and Sinner’s shot bashes the net! Sinner makes no mistake with his forehand on the next point to secure a second BP … but Djokovic sees Sinner’s forehand winner and raises it with one of his own! Deuce, advantage Djokovic. “NOLE, NOLE, NOLE,” scream the crowd. And they carry him through.
Fourth set: Djokovic* 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 4-3 Sinner (*next server)
Sinner dispatches back-to-back aces for 30-0. Djokovic has the net gods on his side on the next point, and a clip of the tape is enough to distract Sinner into netting for 30-15. Djokovic then tries to apply some pressure at 40-30, but Sinner stands firm to hold.
“To be 38 and still fairly consistently make it to grand slam semi-finals itself is an achievement,” emails Krishna Moorthy. “To put it in perspective, would Usain Bolt now qualify for an Olympics, would Phelps compete in a swimming event? Sinner might still win this semi-final , but I have never placed a bet when the Djoker is playing. He bends time and physics. It is easy to dominate when you are liked by the crowd (like a Federer or a Steffi) but to fight the opponent AND the crowd for so long is no mean task.”
Fourth set: Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 4-2 Sinner* (*next server)
The fourth consecutive hold to 15, as Sinner stays the single break behind. Then at 15-all on Djokovic’s serve, it’s suddenly 2015 again, as Djokovic comes out on top in a lung-busting point and is roaring from the depths of his being! 30-15. Then 40-15; Djokovic has missed only two first serves in this set. And another stinging, snarling first serve from Djokovic secures the game.
Fourth set: Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 3-1 Sinner* (*next server)
And all of this is before Sinner and Alcaraz even enter the debate, which they surely will given the rate at which they’re accumulating slams. But anyway, back to on-court matters, as Djokovic breezes through his serve to 15. He’s played rope-a-dope with opponents throughout his career, and having looked spent at the end of the third set, he’s now playing as well as he has at any point in this semi-final.
Fourth set: Djokovic* 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 2-1 Sinner (*next server)
Sinner holds to 15 with little fuss, so let’s strike up the GOAT debate again.
“Laver missed 20 grand slams prior to the open era and won all four in 1969 the year he was allowed back to compete,” notes Steve Roberts. “Who knows how many he would have won if he had been able to compete in Slams his whole career? I think GOAT has to be a question posed but never answered.”
“One could twist Richard Hirst’s suggestion and instead require the old Big Three and the new Big Two to play with Dunlop Maxply rackets, as Laver and subsequent generations up to early McEnroe did, and also to forgo special diets, supplements (botanical, synthetical, sunscreen or otherwise), strength and endurance training and a host of modern and contemporary aids,” offers Darryl Accone. “Oh, and also, no miracle medical time-outs of the kind that just propelled Alcaraz through his semi-final against Zverev.”
Fourth set: Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 2-0 Sinner* (*next server)
Djokovic consolidates the break to 15, finishing with a flourish as he thwacks away a forehand winner. Cue one of the biggest cheers of the night so far, which is saying something given how loud the crowd have been. The 10-time champion now has the love from the fans that he craved in his peak years, but also they want a fifth set. Having not had a five-setter since the third round, we could be getting two in the same day.
Djokovic breaks
Djokovic* 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 Sinner (*next server)
Thanks Tom. Right, I’m refreshed, but Djokovic isn’t. He struggled physically in each of his four slam semi-finals last year and he must be exhausted now; trying to go toe-to-toe with Sinner in a best-of-five-set match is energy sapping and the reality is that Djokovic’s 38-year-old legs have got far more miles on the clock than the 24-year-old Sinner’s. But Djokovic’s fatigue means he’s going for broke, and he lands a winner for 30-all on Sinner’s serve, before getting himself a break point at his advantage! Sinner snuffs it out with a forehand winner, but soon enough here’s a second BP, and Djokovic drags himself through an 11-shot rally to add another plot twist to this match!
Luckily for you, Katy is back to take over for the fourth set.
Sinner wins the third set 6-4!
Perfect start for Sinner as he races into a 30-0 lead and then just camps on the baseline, goading Djokovic to find a winner. It’s a strategy that works as Djokovic goes long to hand the Italian three set points. Sinner misses with an ambitious cross-court forehand on the next point but has the set when Djokovic goes long with a lob.
Third set: *Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 4-5 Sinner (*next server)
There’s no doubt that Sinner is the fresher man on court at the moment. Four short points, the last an ace, put the pressure back on Djokovic’s serve.
Third set: Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 4-4 Sinner* (*next server)
Djokovic was asking his box for some kind of tablet before the first service game with new balls. Whatever it was doesn’t kick in for the first couple of points, but Djokovic gets a reprieve from a trundling second serve as Sinner misses with his powerful return. At 30-15 Djokovic tries to shorten the point by coming into the net but Sinner forces the Serb into a tricky volley that leaves him out of position. Really clever tennis. Djokovic finds his first serve – maybe the tablet hit – and holds without too much bother from 30-30.
Third set: *Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 3-4 Sinner (*next server)
Behind a booming first serve Sinner gets his easiest hold of the set. His toughest challenge in that one was putting away a couple of overheads from on high.
Third set: Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 3-3 Sinner* (*next server)
Having not managed a first serve all game Djokovic somehow cruises to 40-0. There’s some spin wizardry going on his second though as Sinner is not able to find and deep and meaningful returns. A jumping volley at the net wins the hold at 40-15 in an outbreak of low-quality tennis in an otherwise sea of good stuff. I enjoyed it, they’re human after all.
Third set: *Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 2-3 Sinner (*next server)
Sinner gets over a missed drop shot on the first point, then cranks up the speed on his second serve to go up 30-15. Suddenly Sinner’s serve crumbles and at 30-30 he flubs at double fault to gift Djokovic a break point. The next point is high quality, brave stuff from Sinner as he finds a backhand pass after drawing Djokovic into the net with a risky drop shot. Another drop shot secures the hold for Sinner. A missed opportunity?
Third set: Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 2-2 Sinner* (*next server)
Oh dear, that’s a huge error from Djokovic. A floater of a backhand from Sinner passes the veteran on the backhand as he misjudges the flight of the ball to let it pass to go down 15-30. Djokovic is visibly suffering much more than Sinner but digs deep to win the next three points and hold. Amongst that there was a stunning forehand winner from a decent Sinner return that zipped flat across court to leave the Italian standing.
Jack Snape
Zverev fumes over Alcaraz’s timeout for cramp in semi-final thriller
A weary Alexander Zverev described the decision to allow a medical timeout for a cramping Carlos Alcaraz in their epic Australian Open semi-final as “bullshit”, but didn’t want the matter to take the focus off the quality of Friday’s memorable encounter.
The German failed to capitalise on breaks in the second and fifth sets, as the world No 1 rallied from his physical ailments to win 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4) 7-5 in five hours and 27 minutes.
Tournament rules allow medical timeouts for injuries but not muscle cramps. However, the decision is left to the attending physio and doctor.
Alcaraz clutched at the inside of his right groin late in the third set and was moving gingerly – indicating either cramp or a more severe injury – and was allowed a medical timeout after seeking attention from the physio.
Zverev, the world No 3, was incensed in the moment and swore at an official as the Spaniard took on fluids, an indication he was trying to alleviate cramp. “He was cramping, so normally you can’t take a medical timeout for cramping,” Zverev said. “I just said it was bullshit, basically.”
Read Jack Snape’s full story:
Third set: Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 1-2 Sinner* (*next server)
Sinner starts with a bizarre double fault, which was almost certainly caused by the umpire calling out during his serve motion. Deep returns allow Sinner to stay on top in the crucial rallies at 15-15 and 30-30, the latter sealed with a tidy visit to the net to set up the hold. Djokovic is making Sinner work.
Third set: *Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 1-1 Sinner (*next server)
A lucky net-cord at 30-15 brings Sinner into the net and Djokovic willingly accepts the chance to pass in a rally where the Italian was starting to turn the screw. Djokovic will need a few more of those kind of holds.
Third set: *Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 0-1 Sinner (*next server)
A few more struggles for Sinner on serve in the second set, but he gets through this one with little trouble. Blink and you’ll miss it.
Hello, it’s like the boys get the briefing today about the need for a bit of drama. Djokovic, who has nipped off court for a quick ‘outfit change’, is keeping Sinner waiting ahead of the third set. Sinner to serve.
I’m off for a breather, so Tom is here to guide you through the third …
Djokovic wins the second set 6-3
An ace gets Djokovic to 30-15 – he’s won nearly 90% of points when he’s landed his first serve in this set – and then Sinner smacks a forehand into net. So Djokovic has two set points … and he needs only one as he crunches a cross-court forehand winner! It’s the first set he’s won in 11 against Sinner. And – after a walkover and then a retirement in his past two matches – it’s also the first set he’s won since Saturday. And – like the semi-final before it – this is now very much game on!
Second set: *Djokovic 3-6, 5-3 Sinner (*next server)
“Hello Katy, you’re absolutely right in naming Djoker as a GOAT,” says Krishna Moorthy. “The tennis world has seen its share of Lavers, Borgs, Beckers, Edbergs, Samprases but no one comes close to the dominance of the big 3. Even though I am primarily a Federer fan, grudgingly came around to admire Nadal and never really liked or supported Djoker, his greatness is unquestionable. Am sure a CAT scan will reveal cogs and wheels and not muscles and tendons. Forget his titles and trophies, just for the steely nerves that he possesses he must belong to the all time greats, very near the top (the top is RF).”
So you’re giving No 1 GOAT-ness to Federer, Krishna? If we’re measuring it by the pure beauty with which he played the game I’d probably agree (though admittedly I may be showing a bit of recency bias here given Laver’s artistry). But anyway, I think a scan for Sinner would also quite possibly reveal he’s really a cyborg, as he holds to love.
Second set: Djokovic 3-6, 5-2 Sinner* (*next server)
A big point at 30-all. Will it be game point Djokovic or break point Sinner? An aggressive Djokovic has Sinner on the back foot and it’s 40-30. Djokovic is then drawn to the net by a drop shot … he does well to get it back … before lunging to the backhand volley … and Sinner sends the winner into the open court! Deuce. And the first sign of fatigue from Djokovic in this second set as he dumps a meek forehand into the net to give Sinner a break-back point. Djokovic belligerently sends down an ace. And then another! And then an unreturned serve!
Second set: Djokovic* 3-6, 4-2 Sinner (*next server)
“Hi Katy, I must take issue with your comment about undisputed GOATness; there’s no such thing,” emails Richard Hirst. “How would the big three have fared against a Rod Laver playing with modern equipment, training methods, diet etc? We shall never know but I reckon he would have been a match for them. Recentness isn’t everything.” I don’t think saying Djokovic is the GOAT is recency bias, but when it comes to debating different eras, playing styles etc everything is so subjective – we’ll never know how Laver would have done against Djokovic, Federer or Nadal. So I think the only fair way to measure it is on pure numbers and, with 24 slams, Djokovic is above all the rest. Sinner holds to 15, by the way.
Second set: Djokovic 3-6, 4-1 Sinner* (*next server)
But no sooner does Djokovic break than he is in danger of being broken at 0-30, conceding the second point with a double fault, his first of the match, and then the third point when he skews his volley wide, under pressure from Sinner. So Sinner has three break-back points … Djokovic conjures up a superb half-volley on the first … Sinner, being Sinner, still somehow gets to it … but can’t get the ball back! The next two BPs come and go too. And Djokovic escapes to victory from there! He’s backed up the break.
Djokovic breaks
Djokovic* 3-6, 3-1 Sinner (*next server)
Forget plastic man, Djokovic is now flying around like Superman to take the opening point on Sinner’s serve at the net. 0-15 turns into 15-30 … and then 30-40 when Djokovic makes Sinner pay for a poorly thought-out and executed drop shot! So the first break point of the second set is for Djokovic … but he tamely nets his return. Deuce. This time Djokovic lands a stinging return and secures a second BP … but Sinner’s serve down the T is too good and Djokovic frames the ball into the night skies. Here’s a third BP … and Sinner sends a cross-court forehand long! The crowd are screaming and Djokovic raises his arms, imploring them to shout even louder. There appears to be plenty of life in the former champion yet.
Second set: Djokovic 3-6, 2-1 Sinner* (*next server)
Djokovic promised before this match that he wouldn’t “walk out with a white flag”, especially given the history that is on the line with that elusive grand slam title No 25, and there’s a sense now that, however hard this match-up may be against Sinner, he’s going to leave everything out there in his pursuit of undisputed GOAT-ness. And Djokovic reinforces that message with a hold to love.
Second set: Djokovic* 3-6, 1-1 Sinner (*next server)
Djokovic, now hitting with far more depth and belief, is screaming at himself when he lets an opportunity slip at 30-15 on Sinner’s serve. So instead it’s 40-15. And Sinner makes no mistake from there.
Second set: Djokovic 3-6, 1-0 Sinner* (*next server)
Fancy some first-set stats? Sure you do. Sinner hit six aces and 15 winners, compared with Djokovic’s one and five. Sinner has dictated the majority of the points, but it’s Djokovic who gets the better of Sinner here, sliding and doing the splits (he’s still the plastic man!) to get to the short ball … and Sinner spins and nets! 40-15. Djokovic is having to work so hard to put Sinner away and, after another draining duel, Djokovic surrenders with a drop shot that doesn’t even get to the net. 40-30, Sinner is piling on the pressure … but then hits beyond the baseline. Djokovic does what he couldn’t do in the first set by opening with a hold.