9h agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 3:42amLive: Australian Open men’s singles semifinals<\/p>\n
5m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 12:45pm<\/p>\n
Djokovic on the ropes?<\/p>\n
Novak Djokovic\u2019s body language is hard to read.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lcimg-aee13eea-ca3f-4970-8a90-ffd337a7a3ff.jpeg\")
(Getty)<\/p>\n
He was hunched over several times during the third set, seemingly feeling the pinch, at least physically.<\/p>\n
But his effort showed no signs of letting up.<\/p>\n
At times he was demonstrative, while Sinner\u2019s only display of emotion was a series of fist pumps when he established a two-sets-to-one lead.<\/p>\n
The crowd is dominated by Djokovic\u2019s legion of fans, but there is a healthy number of Sinner supporters, many of whom are proudly waving the Italian national flag.<\/p>\n
6m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 12:45pm<\/p>\n
Sinner broken in the first game of the fourth set<\/p>\n
Another advantage of breaking to clinch the set is getting to serve first in the next one.<\/p>\n
And he starts perfectly with an ace.<\/p>\n
Djokovic uncorks an enormous off forehand from beyond the baseline, clipping the tram line for a winner.<\/p>\n
And Sinner responds with another ace to reach 30-15.<\/p>\n
But another signal of intent from the Serb as he demolishes a line forehand from behind the baseline and rips a winner to make it 30-30.<\/p>\n
A third ace of the game and Sinner has a game point.<\/p>\n
But we’re back to deuce as Djokovic continues to show he’s going to try to punish ball that’s even vaguely in the zone on his forehand wing.<\/p>\n
It looks like Sinner’s trying to avoid that forehand, and it’s forced him to slap a backhand wide to give Djokovic a break point.<\/p>\n
Sinner saves it with a wide serve and drive-volley winner to get back to deuce. Djokovic still looks pretty exhausted, but he’s looked worse and won before.<\/p>\n
The down-the-line forehand is flat, fast and deep, and it’s elicited another backhand error from Sinner’s racquet. Another break point for Djoker.<\/p>\n
HE’S BROKEN! Ridiculous, vintage defence from the 24-time grand slam champion eventually forces Sinner to go for too much on the forehand and it just goes long.<\/p>\n
13m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 12:37pmSINNER WINS THE THIRD SET!<\/p>\n
And the first point goes to Sinner after Djokovic puts a forehand into the net. That should’ve been an easy return.<\/p>\n
He loses another point, oh no! Djokovic attacks with 151 km\/h pace but ultimately commits an unforced error long. 0-30<\/p>\n
The crowd are right behind him.<\/p>\n
And just like that its 0-40!! Set point to Sinner after the Serb goes long yet again!<\/p>\n
It’s Sinner’s time to make a mistake here, losing the point with an attempted cross-court response that lands wide. 15-40.<\/p>\n
AND NOVAK PUTS A LOB BALL LONG!<\/p>\n
SINNER TAKES THE THIRD 6-4 AND GOES AHEAD TWO SETS TO ONE!<\/p>\n
This is a HUGE momentum shift in favour of the Italian.<\/p>\n
15m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 12:36pm<\/p>\n
Who will lift and who will crack?<\/p>\n
This set is super important for both players.<\/p>\n
Djokovic is visibly struggling, placing his hands on his knees after most serves.<\/p>\n
Sinner, meanwhile, would be looking at this and wanting to capitalise, which he does.<\/p>\n
The Italian has back-to-back love holds. Djokovic needs to hold here to avoid giving Sinner a 2-0 set lead. This will be a big moment.<\/p>\n
22m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 12:28pm<\/p>\n
Sinner holds but Djokovic asks for tablet<\/p>\n
A 40-0 service game from the Italian with a couple of aces, as easy as it comes.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Djokovic was signalling for something. Possibly some kind of fuel to put into his body. You have to remember, this is a 38-year-old man playing up against a 24-year-old.<\/p>\n
They give him a sachet but he actually wants a tablet of some sort. We’re not sure what that tablet will do exactly but he was seen coughing aggressively into his towel. This doesn’t look great.<\/p>\n
After a bit of shakiness, Djokovic still manages to hold his serve though so we’re at 4-4.<\/p>\n
25m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 12:25pm<\/p>\n
A comfortable hold from the Serb<\/p>\n
At 40-0, Djokovic looks like he’s got this in the bag.<\/p>\n
But Sinner threatens to come back after the Serbian puts a backhand into the net.<\/p>\n
He still manages to hold serve though after Sinner puts a ball to the bottom of the net. That was an odd decision.<\/p>\n
Just fyi, it’s almost 90 per cent humidity at the moment in Melbourne.<\/p>\n
Djokovic is absolutely covered in sweat. He almost fell into his seat after that last service game from Sinner, dramatically putting his towel over his head and breathing heavily.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lcimg-9edebd97-45df-4f01-856c-ad1f79cf3109.png\")
(Supplied: Stan)<\/p>\n
34m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 12:17pm<\/p>\n
Sinner double faults at crucial moment but holds, phew<\/p>\n
At 30-40 Sinner DOUBLE FAULTS! That is not ideal, AT ALL! 30-40 to the Serbian. He has break point.<\/p>\n
But oh Sinner is not letting him have it! He puts a backhand pass behind Djokovic! Sensational, it just clipped the line. 40-40<\/p>\n
Sinner then wins a three-shot rally to take the advantage!<\/p>\n
Before the next serve, Djokovic does something a little gross, he hocks a loogie (spits, you can hear it on the recording).<\/p>\n
Sinner manages to put away an overhead winner and maintains the hold. Everyone can breath now.<\/p>\n
It’s 3-2 in the third set.<\/p>\n
36m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 12:14pm<\/p>\n
Trading service games on RLA<\/p>\n
At 15-15 on Djokovic’s serve, Sinner claims a sensational backhand winner to claim the point. It literally just dropped in. It was actually a bit of a mis-hit from the Italian.<\/p>\n
But Djokovic steadies himself in a long rally where Sinner is the first to produce an error, going wide on his backhand. 30-30<\/p>\n
Djokovic unleashes a brilliant 132 km\/h forehand winner cross-court. Brilliant.<\/p>\n
He’s buying some time in between serves.<\/p>\n
And he manages to consolidate his serve.<\/p>\n
Djokovic is holding onto his chest after that game and has paused for breath with his hands on his knees.<\/p>\n
42m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 12:08pm<\/p>\n
Sinner keeps his cool<\/p>\n
Oh Sinner, he double faults and gifts Djokovic the first point in this game. That’s his first of the match.<\/p>\n
But he manages to equal things back up with Djokovic when his ball goes long, just off the baseline.<\/p>\n
Another fault from the number four seed \u2014 this time it sails into the net. 30-15<\/p>\n
And we’re back on at 30-30 after Sinner’s backhand goes long.<\/p>\n
We’re only early in this set, but it’s shaping up to be a long one already.<\/p>\n
Sinner’s defensive backhand slice draws Djokovic forward, who responds with a weak 55 km\/h forehand! Sinner pounces on the short ball, finishing with a backhand cross-court winner to claim the point.<\/p>\n
Djokovic then floats a ball into the net.<\/p>\n
Sinner survives at a critical moment. It’s 2-1.<\/p>\n
48m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 12:03pm<\/p>\n
We’re on serve here<\/p>\n
Djokovic forces two defensive lobs. He capitalises with an aggressive forehand volley, then seals the point with a thunderous 163 km\/h overhead smash winner.<\/p>\n
Then Sinner’s backhand cross-court lands wide. 30-0<\/p>\n
Djokovic then attempts an aggressive forehand cross-court, but it goes long . 30-15.<\/p>\n
A precise backhand setup from Djokovic drew Sinner forward, but it came with a weak response from the Italian. Djokovic capitalised brilliantly, striking a forehand winner deep to the ad-court that Sinner couldn’t reach!<\/p>\n
The Serb wants to maintain hold here and he manages to close it out with a 201 km\/h ace! Classy.<\/p>\n
53m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 11:58am<\/p>\n
Sinner holds serve to love<\/p>\n
It’s a great hold by Sinner at 40-0 for the opening of this third set.<\/p>\n
That’ll be comforting for the reigning champion.<\/p>\n
57m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 11:54am<\/p>\n
Djokovic takes a change of attire break<\/p>\n
The RLA fans are loving this match and Djokovic looks like he is heading off for a costume change.<\/p>\n
Sinner, meanwhile, is over by his coaching team, likely asking what he has to do now in the third set to get back ahead.<\/p>\n
That set win breaks a 10-set losing streak for Djokovic against Sinner. Big stuff.<\/p>\n
1h agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 11:47amNovak Djokovic squares the ledger at one set each![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lcimg-d9a975b0-87f7-41d2-9571-f2e0c7164b14.jpeg\")
(Getty)<\/p>\n
After a gripe with fans being too slow to find their seats, Djokovic serves two massive faults. 0-15<\/p>\n
He screams “SIT DOWN” into the crowd.<\/p>\n
Bang bang again. Two big serves takes Djokovic to a 30-15 lead.<\/p>\n
Sinner gets a look at a second serve but can’t punish it, getting pushed around the baseline and netting an audacious down-the-line forehand. 40-15<\/p>\n
Two set points for Djokovic.<\/p>\n
HE’S DONE IT! Another baseline rally and Djokovic finishes it with a glorious cross-court winner, sliding into a forehand.<\/p>\n
“I thought Novak was on the edge, he was right on the limit and his genius found a way to win the set,” nine-time grand slam doubles champion John Fitzgerald says in commentary for Stan Sport.<\/p>\n
1h agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 11:42am<\/p>\n
Sinner tears through service game to stay in second set<\/p>\n
Wide serve, short return, plus-one winner. 15-0<\/p>\n
Another couple of quick points to get to 40-0 and we look set for another easy service hold as Djokovic conserves energy before serving for the set.<\/p>\n
Ace. Hold. Djokovic will serve it out.<\/p>\n
1h agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 11:42am<\/p>\n
Djokovic is just one game away now!<\/p>\n
Sinner holds and Djokovic fights off a break point on his serve with a boomer down the middle before securing the hold in the same manner.<\/p>\n
He’s obviously exhausted as he’s asking the ball kids to come to him as he wipes the sweat off his face.<\/p>\n
I thought for a second he was asking one of them to bring him his towel, but no, that’s not allowed anymore.<\/p>\n
1h agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 11:32am<\/p>\n
Djokovic taking a breather after that game![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lcimg-c9b8b7a6-7cad-4e46-8a0e-4fc13e4f4b0c.jpeg\")
(Getty)<\/p>\n
Djokovic is changing his shirt in the break between games and getting some refreshments from his team.<\/p>\n
He takes a little too long in the chair and umpire Damien Dumusois tells him to hurry it up.<\/p>\n
Djokovic always asks for a soft warning before getting a violation, and he says he appreciates Dumusois’s warning, but asks for some understanding after such an epic game.<\/p>\n
1h agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 11:25am<\/p>\n
Djokovic digs himself out of a hole on serve<\/p>\n
A pair of glorious slice backhands sees Djokovic follow it in to the net, but he can only watch and applaud as Sinner whips a cross-court passing shot on the full run to take a 0-15 lead.<\/p>\n
And it’s 0-30 in a flash as Djokovic double faults.<\/p>\n
Make that 0-40 as Djokovic gets in to the net again but can’t control a backhand volley as Sinner smacks a running two-handed backhand with phenomenal power and top spin, getting it to dip beneath the net.<\/p>\n
Tennis! Tennis everywhere as Djokovic charges to the net behind a line-drive forehand. He digs out a half-volley and it taps the net cord and goes over. Sinner somehow gets there but sends it wide. 15-40.<\/p>\n
Bang bang! Djokovic back to deuce with unreturnable serves.<\/p>\n
HE’S HELD SERVE! What an effort from the 38-year-old to consolidate the break and hold serve from 0-40 down.<\/p>\n
1h agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 11:21am<\/p>\n
Sinner is broken for the first time tonight<\/p>\n
Sinner stares down two break points and saves both with bombs down the middle that Djokovic can’t get back.<\/p>\n
But Djokovic is absolutely demolishing his forehand, running around his backhand more than usual, and setting up a third break point.<\/p>\n
And this time he converts! The forced unforced error from Sinner’s forehand wing hands Djokovic a 3-1 lead in the second set.<\/p>\n
The sweat is pouring from the Serb as he takes hold of the match’s momentum for the first time.<\/p>\n
1h agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 11:16am<\/p>\n
Sinner and Djoker going hold for holdLoading<\/p>\n
Djokovic is in front 2-1, but only by virtue of serving first.<\/p>\n
This pair are absolutely battering the ball and starting to dictate with their serves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"9h agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at 3:42amLive: Australian Open men’s singles semifinals 5m agoFri 30 Jan 2026 at…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":447356,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[5244,64,63,6571,962,754,94312,44,3592,208978,747],"class_list":["post-447355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-australia","tag-alexander-zverev","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-open","tag-carlos-alcaraz","tag-jannik-sinner","tag-john-peers","tag-news","tag-novak-djokovic","tag-olivia-gadecki","tag-tennis"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=447355"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447355\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/447356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=447355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=447355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=447355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"Dean](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/lcimg-fb5bfd50-2257-4e0c-8975-b438bff8cbec.jpeg\")
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<\/p>\n