Djokovic Vows To Upset The Odds Against 'Absolute Favourite' Sinner

Novak Djokovic has stated that two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner is the “absolute favourite” in their Australian Open semi-final on Friday. However, he has vowed to bring his “A-game” and aim for

an upset.

The Serbian legend will face the in-form Italian in a prime-time night match at Rod Laver Arena, where Djokovic has previously secured 10 titles.

The winner will face either Spanish top seed Carlos Alcaraz or German third seed Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final.

The 38-year-old Djokovic advanced to the semi-finals after Lorenzo Musetti retired due to injury while leading their quarter-final match 6-4, 6-3, 1-3. This followed a fourth-round walkover when Jakub Mensik withdrew without playing a match.

Fourth seed Djokovic needs to end a streak of five consecutive losses to Sinner to reach his 11th Australian Open final. He was defeated by Sinner in last year’s French Open and Wimbledon semi-finals.

“He’s just playing on such a high level right now, along with Carlos. They’re the two best players in the world,” said the 24-time Grand Slam champion. “I mean, absolute favourite, but you never know. Hopefully, I can deliver my A-game for that match-up because that’s what’s going to be needed at least to have a chance. I wasn’t playing close to my best (against Musetti), so I’m going to have to change that around.”

Djokovic has been striving to surpass Margaret Court and win a record 25th major since his last one at the US Open in 2023. However, the rise of Sinner and Alcaraz, who have won all the Slam titles since then, has made this increasingly challenging.

“It’s going to be a very tough match,” said world number two Sinner, who defeated Zverev in last year’s final. “We know each other quite well, so it’s going to be interesting to see how we handle the situation. It can go well, but it also can go wrong. That’s how our sport is, and I don’t want to put myself under extra pressure.”

Alcaraz is on a mission to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam at the age of 22, a feat Rafael Nadal achieved at 24. He has been in impressive form but faces a difficult challenge against Zverev, who is still seeking his first major title at the age of 28.

“I’ve watched his matches through the tournament; it was impressive the level he’s been playing so far, so it’s going to be a great battle,” said six-time major winner Alcaraz. “I know that he’s serving pretty well. He’s playing really solid and aggressive when he can in the rallies from the baseline. I will be well-prepared for that match, and yeah, if he wants to beat me, he has to sweat a lot.”

(With Agency Inputs)