Australian Open 2024 LIVE updates: Novak Djokovic v Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev v Alexander Zverev, results, draw, schedule, tickets, odds, start time

There are still no signs of nerves for Sinner, who again holds serve with relative ease to make it 4-4.

Earlier we brought you news of some gloomy Serbian media headlines. Unusual stuff for the usually Djokovic-adoring sports media.

Things are getting even more bleak on live blogs of the major media outlets.

“Novak, what’s with you today? It’s like he’s asleep, he hasn’t played a set like this in 11 years.“

“No, no, no! Djokovic on brink of total catastrophe. Is it possible that this is happening,” are just some of the current headlines.

“An agony that hasn’t been seen in 19 years.“

Agonising stuff for the 10-time Open champion, indeed. Stay tuned.

Just as Sinner seems determined not to take his foot off the accelerator, Djokovic will not end this match wondering.

He’s looking wholly convincing on serve in this third set and holds easily to make it 4-3, with Sinner to serve now.

The Serbian contingent remains in strong voice and “Nole” chants continue to ring out – they will until there is no life left in this contest.

At a change of ends earlier, Djokovic appeared to wince as he grabbed his stomach. There’s been no call for the trainer yet, though.

Djokovic looked like he was going to grab a rarity in this match, a service game to love.

But Sinner wasn’t having it, drifting a return into the corner. It looked long and Djokovic let it land … and it fell in.

The crowd collectively lets out an “ooohhh” and Djokovic won the game on the next point, but Sinner isn’t giving him anything easy.

And that continues on his service game, which Sinner wraps up quickly to make it 3-3.

Remarkably, the Italian would be the first man to ever defeat Djokovic in an Australian Open semi-final if he pulls it off today.

“Fight, stay strong!” That’s the encouragement from Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic in his box.

It’s taken him 90 minutes, but Djokovic has finally put pressure on Sinner’s serve.

He took a 30-0 lead and had his fans chanting wildly.

Then Sinner sent down a wide ace, which has been a go-to for him under pressure.

“And again Sinner,” screamed a fan.

The Italian went on to hold his service game, and we’re at 2-2. Some slightly more promising signs for the Djokovic camp, but Sinner looks stellar.

As Djokovic holds his serve again 2-1, here is how our reporter Marc McGowan sees today’s proceedings so far.

“As it stands, this is one of the more staggering days and looming results in recent tennis history.

This is far different to a seed being knocked out early in a slam.

We are witnessing a rising superstar in Jannik Sinner trouncing 10-time champion Novak Djokovic on his court in an Australian Open semi-final, after another young gun, Carlos Alcaraz, outlasted the super Serb in five sets in last year’s Wimbledon final.

Sinner hinted in two wins in 12 days over Djokovic in November – at the ATP Finals, then the Davis Cup semi-finals – that he was coming with a rush, and the 24-time major winner has looked more vulnerable than usual this fortnight.

But the manner of this performance, the authority with which Sinner is playing, and the mountain of uncharacteristic Djokovic errors, make for head-shaking stuff.

It is only because it is Djokovic that we have not completely written him off today.”

It was essential for Djokovic’s hopes that he held his serve in the first game of this third set and he did that – just.

The game was poised at 30-30, then deuce, but the Serb held strong.

Sinner then goes down the other end and holds his serve easily.

He’s maintained his momentum so far in this third set. Djokovic needs to rise to another level.

Here’s the view from our reporter Roy Ward at Melbourne Park:

“Sinner is one set away from the Australian Open final and we are barely 70 minutes into the match.

We knew the Italian was good and fast becoming great. Today he has made himself the smallest possible target for Djokovic.

Few errors, few half volleys and very, very few bad serves. He has made Djokovic win every point and most times he has failed to do so.

He has earned this lead and Djokovic looks a shadow of the champion we know.

But the other thing we know about Djokovic is that he fires up when pushed into corner.

He hasn’t been challenged by a player this talented and focused in a while – I can’t wait to see how he responds.

It’s either respond or go home.”

Wowee! I don’t think many tennis fans would have seen this coming.

Even those who predicted Jannik Sinner could win this match probably didn’t think he’d be up two sets to none.

The young Italian putting the world No.1 squarely on the back foot. He’s won the first two sets 6-1, 6-2.

As Jim Courier said on the broadcast: “That white hat is more of a hard hat, he’s just a man at work.” Referring to Sinner’s classic white cap, of course.

Can Sinner keep this up or will Djokovic fight back?

“Cold shower for Novak”.

“Italians shouting ‘arrivederci’ [goodbye], Serbs respond in the stands”.

“Djokovic without rhythm.“

“Novak still hasn’t turned up to the match.”

The Serbian media’s live blog headlines about their most famous countryman are heating up. It’s not even 6am in Djokovic’s native Belgrade, but many fans are up early to cheer on the champion.

He’s in a bit of strife at present, and not just in the headlines. The reports are highlighting verbal matches between the two sets of fans.

“Arrivederci” from the Italian corner and “Let’s go, Nole, this is your house” in Serbian from the Djokovic camp.

Well, Jannik Sinner is on the cusp of claiming the second set, with one game to go.

He’s up 5-2 against Novak Djokovic and there’s a sense of disbelief in the air at Melbourne Park.

His touch is off, but he is still fighting out each point.

This challenge is quickly becoming an urgent one.

When Djokovic landed a forehand winner to stop a break point, the biggest roar of the match followed.

Fans were still screaming for him as he rose to serve. When Sinner charged the net on deuce, Djokovic tried to lob him, but his lob dropped just over the line and out.

He hit a shot out on the next point to give up another break.

Sinner is locked in on this task and Djokovic’s precision has escaped him – for now.