Stunner Down Under: Jannik Sinner Ends Novak Djokovic's 33 ...

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts in their Semifinal singles match ... [+] against Jannik Sinner of Italy during the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic picked a bad day to play some of his worst tennis in recent memory.

The 36-year-old GOAT of men’s tennis had been a perfect 10-0 in Australian Open semifinals entering his latest encounter with 22-year-old rising star Jannik Sinner of Italy.

But in a result nobody saw coming, No. 4 Sinner absolutely manhandled and dominated the world No. 1 and 24-time major champion, 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3 amid windy conditions, to advance to his first major final. The Italian did not face a single break point in the match.

The loss snapped a 33-match winning streak for Djokovic in Melbourne and marked his first loss since falling to South Korea’s Chung Hyeon in straight set in the fourth round in 2018.

It was Sinner’s third victory over Djokovic in their last four meetings after he beat him twice in a 12-day span last November.

“It was a very, very tough match,” Sinner told Jim Courier on court. “For two sets, I felt like he was not feeling that great so I just tried to keep pushing.

“In the third set, I had match point and I missed a forehand, but this is tennis. I just tried to be ready for the next set, which I started off really well. And obviously the atmosphere was so great to play here.”

Now there will be no record 25th major for Djokovic at this tournament, which he has owned for the last decade.

Instead, Sinner, a former standout junior skier will play for the title against the winner between No. 3 Daniil Medvedev and No. 6 Alexander Zverev. World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz was beaten by Zverev in the quarterfinals, meaning the final will take place without either of the world’s top two players.

“The confidence from end of last year has for sure kept the belief that I can play against the best players in the world and I’m really happy that I can play Sunday my first final and see how it goes,” he said. “But I’m really happy. I come here with a smile and I try my best.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a backhand in their Semifinal ... [+] singles match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Djokovic did battle a cold and a wrist injury earlier in the tournament and also came into the semifinal with his second-most time on court at an Australian Open. He clearly was playing with low energy.

Whatever the cause, Djokovic struggled mightily with his return game, made a lot of sloppy errors, especially early, and got totally manhandled 6-1 in the first set while committing 13 unforced errors against just three winners. Sinner used a body serve on his second serve and displayed tremendous shape with his forehand to create angles. He won the opening set with a forehand winner that Djokovic sailed long.

In the second set, Sinner again went up an early break 2-1 when Djokovic hit a first-ball backhand wide. Even Rod Laver looked surprised at the early turn of events as he sat in the stands.

With Djokovic serving at 2-4, deuce, the crowd chanted his name to boost him emotionally, but it did not have the desired effect. He overcooked a forehand long on break point and fell behind 5-2. Sinner took a commanding two-sets-to-love lead with a crosscourt forehand winner that Djokovic returned into the net.

“I think we play really, really similar,” Sinner said. “You have to try to return as many balls as possible. He is such an incredible server, so I try to guess sometimes a little bit also and just trying to push. Trying to move him around a little bit.”

ESPN analyst John McEnroe went so far as to question Djokovic’s desire when he was down two sets to one.

“At some point you maybe don’t have that [desire] in you on a given day,” McEnroe speculated on the ESPN broadcast.

At 5-all, deuce in the third set, there was a pause in the match as a fan appeared to feint near the top of the stadium. Following a 4 1/2 minute break, Djokovic promptly nailed an ace and then a forehand winner for 6-5.

In the tiebreak, Djokovic fought off a match point on his serve and then converted the third set when Sinner made a backhand error long.

In the fourth set, Sinner seized a break for 3-1 when Djokovic sailed a backhand long.

Serving for the match at 5-3, Sinner held his nerve and won it on his second match point with a forehand winner up the line.

He lifted his arms in victory and embraced Djokovic at the net.