A narrow escape! 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic saves match point in the third set to cling onto his title defence against Italian young gun Jannik Sinner in pulsating semi-final

It looked like Novak Djokovic’s quest for a 25th Grand Slam title – and 11th Australian Open crown – would have to wait until at least next January, after the world number one lost the first two sets of the semi his men’s final was stunned by Jannik Sinner on Friday.

The Serbian superstar, who has virtually made Rod Laver Arena his own sporting playground in recent years, found himself without answers early on, while the 22-year-old from San Candido, Italy, was in complete control.

Sinner was composed from the start as Djokovic shocked the raucous crowd after committing a whopping 44 unforced errors in the first three sets.

After losing the opening sets 6-1, 6-2, commentator Jim Courier spoke for many when he said: ‘I’ve never seen Novak get beaten like that in a tournament… you’d look closely at that in the past have to look. therefore.

“This is almost unbelievable.”

Novak Djokovic looked like a man without answers in his Australian Open semi-final against Jannik Sinner

Sinner, on the other hand, was a model of consistency on the court and impressively raced to a two-set lead at Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic, who has won ten Grand Slams at Melbourne Park, received a lot of support in the stands

Djokovic’s portion proved to be his Achilles heel, with fourth-ranked Sinner breaking it seemingly at will.

But the veteran dug deep to claw his way into the third set, forcing Sinner into a tiebreak.

The Italian served for the match at 6-6 (5-6), but Djokovic was nervous as he held on and saw through the point before taking the set 6-6 (8-6).

Perhaps ominously, Djojkovic admitted to Channel Nine Today host Karl Stefanovic that the annual trips down under are becoming increasingly taxing on his body.

“I’m having more and more trouble with that as time goes by,” Djokovic said.

‘Australia is a long journey, probably the longest journey we make all year.

Djokovic was able to keep his composure and save himself from a famous defeat on Australia Day

‘Being away for five weeks is quite a lot.’

The winner of the clash will have to wait and see whether it will be third seed Daniil Medvedev or the polarizing German Alexander Zverev who they face in the final on Sunday.

Djokovic and Sinner met four times in the past year, with the spoils sharply divided.

While the Serbian defeated Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals, Sinner claimed the final victory, leaving the 36-year-old competing for his country in the Davis Cup semi-finals in November.

After losing the third set, Sinner uncharacteristically lost his cool while waiting for his opponent to change his kit off the court.

While seeking some shade on his bench, the Canadian Open winner knocked over his water bottles in frustration.