Boris Becker has highlighted “the story of the match” following Jannik Sinner’s incredible performance against Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the Australian Open while Laura Robson drew attention to the muted atmosphere on Rod Laver Arena after the match.
Sinner ended Djokovic’s dominant run at the season-opening Grand Slam as he became the first player since Hyeon Chung in 2018 to defeat the 10-time Melbourne Park champion.
It was a clinical display from the 22-year-old Italian as he was at his destructive best in the opening two sets – dropping only three games as he breadsticked Djokovic in the first set.
Although the 24-time Grand Slam winner won the third set, Sinner also dominated the fourth to win 6-1 6-2, 6-7 (6-8)
And the most remarkable stat from the match was the fact that Djokovic didn’t have a single break point on his opponent’s serve, the first time in his career that it happened at a Grand Slam.
But Sinner’s win is far from a surprise as he also beat Djokovic twice during the final few weeks of the 2023 season and former world No 1 Becker feels it was only a matter of time before he got a big win at a major.
“I’m not surprised that Jannik Sinner won, but I am surprised by the way he did it. He actually had to win in the third set,” he told Eurosport.
“The likeable South Tyrolean was already knocking on the door last year and is now growing up. He kept cool and served well right to the end. The fact that Novak Djokovic – the best return player of all time – didn’t have a single break point against Sinner is the story of the match.”
The Australian Open is one Grand Slam where Djokovic has a massive following due to the big Serbian population in Melbourne and the “Nole” fans were out in force on Friday.
But they left disappointed as their man failed to make the final and former British No 1 praised Sinner for sticking to his gameplan.
“The atmosphere in Garden Square was slightly muted when Sinner won because there’s a lot of Djokovic fans,” she said.
“They had their flags, and were ready to celebrate and make it more of the same of what they saw last year, but Sinner crashed the party totally. He was outstanding from start to finish. I love that he didn’t get disappointed after having the match point in the third set.
“He just kept committed to the gameplan even more. It feels like we’ve felt this result coming; from the last few months and end of last year especially. But to do it in a best of five match at a Grand Slam with so many people who didn’t think that he could do it based on his performance at Wimbledon last year, just phenomenal.
“Such a nice guy as well. So easy to chat to; he’s always got such a good energy around him and his team. I’m sure there are a lot of happy people in the locker who’ve been waiting for this to happen for him.
“He’s a muted guy, and to finish with a forehand winner would be exactly how he planned it in his head. I wouldn’t expect anything else from him; I wouldn’t expect to see him fall to the floor, and should he win on Sunday, I’m sure we’ll see more of the same. A cheeky hands up, one fist pump maybe, but it would be weird if we saw him fall to his knees and start crying. I’d be confused.”