As Jannik Sinner defeated Andrey Rublev 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in their Australian Open 2024 quarterfinal, he set up a blockbuster semifinal against world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
Sinner is yet to drop a set at AO 2024, just the third non-‘Big Three’ player, after Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych, to reach this stage of the event with an unblemished record.
He is increasingly stepping up a gear against the best opponents; Sinner has 23 career wins against top-10 ranked players and an astonishing 14 of those victories have come since the start of 2023.
His comprehensive win over Rublev was Sinner’s third top-10 victory at a Grand Slam – he’ll target a fourth against Djokovic – and he is also the first Italian to make the semifinals at multiple majors before turning 23.
Ahead of his highly-anticipated clash with Djokovic on Friday afternoon at Rod Laver Arena, we examine the many milestones he is on the cusp of achieving.
1. He would reach his first major final
Sinner has equalled his best-ever performance at a Grand Slam tournament, after reaching last year's Wimbledon semifinals. There, he lost to Djokovic in straight sets.
Sinner was also one point away from a second major semifinal at the 2022 US Open, before falling in an unforgettable five-set clash to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.
2. He would emulate a modern great
Should he beat Djokovic, Sinner would join Murray in registering four wins in his first six meetings against a reigning world No.1.
He currently owns a 3-2 record against No.1-ranked opponents; two wins over Djokovic, and one over Alcaraz.
JANNIK SINNER'S MATCHES AGAINST CURRENT WORLD NO.1s
In the history of ATP computer rankings, only Rafael Nadal has a better record in his first six meetings with a world No.1, winning five.
3. He would beat Djokovic for the third time past in four matches
Fourth-ranked Sinner came out on top, 6-2 2-6 7-5, in his last meeting with Djokovic in November’s Davis Cup semifinals.
Djokovic had previously claimed bragging rights with a 6-3 6-3 ATP Finals showpiece victory in Turin – a loss on home soil that remains Sinner’s only defeat across his last 19 Tour-level matches.
That is a run which includes Sinner emerging triumphant in his first clash with Djokovic at the ATP Finals earlier that week.
Sinner was the only player to go undefeated in the group stages in Turin – momentum he has carried into AO 2024.
4. He would end an incredible Djokovic streak
The world No.1 has not lost a match at the Australian Open since 2018.
Since then, he has built a 33-match winning streak at Melbourne Park, equalling the long-standing record set by Monica Seles in the last 1990s.
Sinner is attempting to become the first player since Hyeon Chung six years ago to stop the Serb at Rod Laver Arena.
5. He would become the first player to ever beat Djokovic at this stage
History shows that once Djokovic wins an Australian Open quarterfinal, he goes on to win the title.
The world No.1 has never lost a semifinal or final at Melbourne Park, compiling a combined record of 20-0 in the final two rounds of the tournament.
Djokovic has won seven of his 10 previous AO semifinals in straight sets.
Sinner will be hoping to go one better than Murray, who fell 7-5 in the fifth set of the 2012 semifinals – the closest Djokovic has come to losing at this point of the tournament.