Sinner has risen to fourth place in the rankings and this morning did something that was almost impossible – to beat Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open.
– He played me completely. I’m shocked that I played so badly, says Djokovic who can’t remember playing a worse Grand Slam match.
It was the Serbian world number one’s first loss in the tournament in six years. The streak ended at 33.
“Shaky at the first match ball”
– It was a very tough match. I played very well in two sets and felt that he was not at his best. Then I missed a match ball but that’s tennis, says Sinner in the interview on the court in Eurosport’s broadcast.
– I was shaky at the first match point but I am so happy to share the happiness with you, says Sinner, who has won three of the last four meetings with Djokovic and draws down applause at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
– We play very similarly and he has very good serves that I try to wait out, I don’t want to reveal my tactics, says Sinner with a smile.
Had match point in the third set
Sinner pushed Djokovic back and settled on his second match point, which came 55 minutes after the first, and could stretch his arms in the air with a big smile.
When Sinner was about to serve home the match at 5-3 in the fourth set, he made his first double fault but it was just a bump in the road to triumph.
After being outplayed in the first two sets, Djokovic clung to the match to win the third set tiebreak 8-6. At 5-6, the Italian had a match point but Djokovic rode out that storm and extended the match to 55 minutes.
