Jannik Sinner ends Novak Djokovic’s winning streak at Australian Open

World No 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic has lost the Grand Slam semifinal match to Italian counterpart Jannik Sinner, BBC reported.

Friday marked the end of the run for Djokovic. For the first time in six years, the Serbian star lost an Australian Open match as fourth seed Sinner defeated the reigning champion in the men’s singles semifinal.

After winning 10 matches in a row earlier in the season, It is Djokovic’s first semi-final defeat at the Australian Open.

In one of the biggest shocks in tennis history, the Serbian legend lost to his Italian opponent by 1-6, 2-6, 7-6 (6), and 3-6 in 3 hours and 21 minutes.

He was just two matches away from an 11th title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown. 

Sinner, only 22 years old, will now aim for his first Grand Slam title. This is, however, not the first time he has defeated Djokovic. He earlier beat him in the Association of Tennis Players (ATP) Finals group stage and at the Davis Cup.

Sinner has now become the first Italian player to reach the finals at the Australian Open. 

Out of his last four games with Djokovic, he beat him three times. When Sinner was asked what was special about his game, he said with a chuckle, “I don’t know. Ask him!”

Before the semi-final, Sinner said he felt “lucky” to face Djokovic.