AO 2026 Semi Final: Sinner v Djokovic
- Thread starter britbox
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Sinner blinked, plain & simple.
And Can we finally put to rest all the speculation when Novak will retire because he knows he cannot ever again beat the top two?
Oh wait.
Now the speculation will be if he wins what possible motivation Novak has to go on.
Never mind.
And Can we finally put to rest all the speculation when Novak will retire because he knows he cannot ever again beat the top two?
Oh wait.
Now the speculation will be if he wins what possible motivation Novak has to go on.
Never mind.
Fiero425
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Speculation will take on another form! Now a conspiracy is going on behind the scenes to get Novak his 25th major title! If not 1 thing, it's another!
Fiero425
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Novak just looked sharp & played well! He actually was struggling physically early on & breathing hard! Some would say, he took a magic pill that turned it all around for him! It only went 5 sets IMO was b/c Sinner was playing just as well if not better! He just cracked under the relentless pressure of this old & ATG! I'd been up all day, got thru Carlo's match, then settled in for Novak's match! After he lost the 3rd set, I passed out after being up over 24 hours! I woke up to find him victorious & can't believe it! Sinner was whacking the ball, hitting lines, & seemed well on his way to the win, but Djokovic surprised the entire tennis world w/ his comeback in 5 sets! I can only SMH over that idiot umpire calling a time violation near the end of the match!
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MargaretMcAleer
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I was live at RLA for Sinners v Novak match
I have been reading the comments so far about this match which made me laugh
No Sinner Did Not Blink at All? though I expected that comment lol!
Quite frankly Novak was the better player when it mattered, played Clutch tennis and deserved his win
Sinner had so many chances eg BPs in the final set and could not convert
Also Sinners record in 5 set matches is still poor when it matters
Sinner's overall from at this years AO was below par
In saying that I am certain he and his team will now work for better results in the next GS, clay
Congrats to Novak for a well deserved win!
BTW I will be going live to RLA for the mens final between Alcaraz and Djokovic
I have been reading the comments so far about this match which made me laugh
No Sinner Did Not Blink at All? though I expected that comment lol!
Quite frankly Novak was the better player when it mattered, played Clutch tennis and deserved his win
Sinner had so many chances eg BPs in the final set and could not convert
Also Sinners record in 5 set matches is still poor when it matters
Sinner's overall from at this years AO was below par
In saying that I am certain he and his team will now work for better results in the next GS, clay
Congrats to Novak for a well deserved win!
BTW I will be going live to RLA for the mens final between Alcaraz and Djokovic
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MargaretMcAleer
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don_fabio
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Novak saved 16/18 BPs, at least that was the stat sometime in the 5th set.
He was playing with very low margins, all or nothing at many of those BPs and generally extremely agressive. It paid off at the end like it did in OG final. Sinner could have done better at times too.
Novak's serve is best on the tour for a few years now, he literally played with 2nd serve as it was his first, hitting around 180-190 km/h. He made like like 3-4 DFs the whole match. The level of accuracy and confidence needed to execute like that, it's crazy.
I am not sure if he can repeat the same performance in the final. I think he is drained mentally and physically. This match was higher intensity than another semi. Alcaraz will surely recover and be ready for him. Hope we get a good final.
MargaretMcAleer
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Novak was just clutch his saving BPs he deserved to win, Jannik was just too passive at times, god he had enough BPS to win a whole set of tennis,
I wanted to get in the 'fetal" position, seeing I was live at RLA there wasnt enough room
Jannik hit 27 aces, 26 more winner same amount of ufe, won 12 more points and still lost? all Kudos to Novak
Press Conference:
Jannik Sinner L Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-6 6-4 4-6 4-6 AO Semi Final
Leo AI Transcript Summary
Jannik Sinner L Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-6 6-4 4-6 4-6 AO Semi Final
Leo AI Transcript Summary
Emotional Impact
- The loss hurt a lot, as it was a very important Grand Slam for him
- Acknowledged it was a good match from both players but he couldn't convert his chances
Match Analysis
- Break Points: Had many opportunities, especially 8 break points in the fifth set, but couldn't convert them
- No Single Turning Point: Felt there wasn't one specific moment where the match got away from him
- High Level Tennis: The first set was particularly high quality from both players
- Described the match as "a bit of a roller coaster"
On Djokovic's Performance
- Not surprised by Djokovic's level, given his 24 Grand Slam titles
- Called him "the greatest player for many, many years"
- Acknowledged that while Djokovic plays fewer tournaments due to age, Grand Slams bring extra motivation
- Gave credit to Djokovic's excellent serving, especially on break points
Physical Condition & Statistics
- Confirmed he's feeling physically good
- Won more total points than Djokovic during the match
- Felt he was holding serve easier toward the end while Djokovic struggled more
- Recognised the point statistic is "quite irrelevant" given the final score
Looking Forward
- Hopes to take lessons from the match and see what he can improve on
Press Conference:
Novak Djokovic W Jannik Sinner 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 AO Semi Final
Leo AI Transcript Summary
Novak Djokovic W Jannik Sinner 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 AO Semi Final
Leo AI Transcript Summary
Performance Assessment
- One of his finest performances in recent years - acknowledged it as his best in the last couple of years, and among his best in the last decade
- High-quality match - compared the intensity to his legendary 2012 final against Nadal
- Defeated two-time defending champion Sinner, who has been playing the best tennis of his life
Motivation & Mindset
- Fueled by doubters - thanked critics and "experts" who wanted to retire him, saying they gave him strength and motivation
- Never stopped believing - emphasized he never doubted himself despite external criticism
- Set goals before the season to battle Sinner and Alcaraz at final stages of Grand Slams
- Not surprised by his performance - knows what he's capable of
Match Context & Preparation
- Contrast with previous match - struggled two days earlier against Lorenzo Musetti (who retired injured)
- Came out with clear strategy and game plan against Sinner
- Served at 80% in the fourth set with excellent forehand play
Recovery & Final Preparation
- Physically demanding - described the match as grueling and is very relieved
- Limited recovery time - finished around 3 AM with final in two days
- Won't train the next day, will focus entirely on recovery
- Cannot predict how he'll feel for the final
Upcoming Final vs. Alcaraz
- Historic stakes - attempting to become the oldest Australian Open champion (record held by an Australian great)
- Alcaraz trying to become the youngest
- History on the line for both players in every Grand Slam final they play
