Jannik Sinner again rematched by Novak Djokovic: it goes to the fifth
It was again a perfect draw on Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena in the second Australian Open semifinal between Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic. The world number two, twice ahead by a set, was taken back by the Serbian champion who won the fourth partial 6-4.
Sinner started well on serve with five firsts out of five. In the second game l’Azzurro thanks also to a splendid backhand pass in the long line gets the first break points of the match: Djokovic is too foul and with another forehand error loses the serve. Jannik continues to serve very well and with a couple of aces goes up 3-0. In the fourth game Nole avoids the double break with an ace and gets unblocked (1-3). In the fifth game the South Tyrolean has to face the first break ball but saves himself with an excellent second and with yet another ace goes ahead 4-1. Djokovic tries to hang on but Sinner is relentless on serve and closes the partial set at zero with a winning backhand forehand (6-3).
The second set opens with a wonderful point by Sinner who then makes a few too many errors, however. Nole rises to the performance with his serve and also in response: in the fourth game at the third useful opportunity he scores, getting the first break of the match (3-1). Immediate the reaction of the Blue who conquers three consecutive break points of the counter-break but Novak comes out as a champion (4-1). The Serb with an ace saves another break point in the seventh game before closing the second partial with a winning forehand (6-3).
Sinner gets off to a strong start in the third set with a game to zero, topped by an ace and a winning forehand. Djokovic is not to be outdone: two winning forehands and an ace give him the’1-1. Sinner commits the first double fault of the match but climbs from 15-30 thanks also to a winning backhand (2-1). The Serb also climbs from 15-30 with a couple of spells and in the fifth game earns a break point but Jannik is glacial: bunt and pass, then with the same pattern goes up 3-2. With a pair of aces Sinner keeps his lead ahead (4-3) but Djokovic evens the score (4-4). In the tenth game all’sudden Sinner earned three consecutive break points and on the second Djokovic missed: the Azure went back ahead by a set (6-4).
The first game was a break point.
Uphill start in the fourth set for Sinner, who despite three aces surrendered the serve to Djokovic, unleashed with the forehand, in the opening game. Nole grinds out winners with the forehand and confirms the break (2-0). Jannik unlocks (1-2) but the Serb, author of a valuable serve & volley, concedes very little on serve (3-1). In the eighth game, however, Djokovic goes in trouble on serve conceding two break points to the Blue but saves himself bravely (5-3). Sinner shortens with a pair of aces (4-5) but Djokovic does not tremble on serve (6-4) and sends everything back to the fifth set.
