By Harshit
MELBOURNE, JAN. 30, 2026 — Novak Djokovic delivered a statement set under pressure at the Australian Open, snapping Jannik Sinner’s dominance and resetting their rivalry in a tense quarterfinal at Rod Laver Arena.
After dropping the opening set 6-3, Djokovic surged back to take the second set 6-3, ending Sinner’s run of 10 consecutive sets won against him and claiming his first set victory at this year’s Australian Open following a walkover and an opponent retirement earlier in the tournament.
How the Second Set Turned
Djokovic’s response was immediate and uncompromising.
From the opening games of the second set, the Serb leaned heavily into first-serve precision, winning 19 of 22 points behind his first delivery. Whenever danger appeared, Djokovic trusted placement rather than pace — a tactic that repeatedly pulled Sinner off balance.
Sinner created four break points across multiple Djokovic service games, but failed to convert any of them — a decisive swing in momentum.
Key Live Moments (Second Set)
- 3-1 Djokovic: Djokovic broke Sinner with a deep return, raising his arms to draw energy from the crowd after Sinner sent a forehand long.
- 3-2 Djokovic: Djokovic faced triple break point but erased all three with wide serves and a forehand winner, drawing loud roars from the stands.
- 4-2 Djokovic: From 0-40 down, Djokovic rattled off five straight points to consolidate the break, finishing with a wide serve followed by a clean forehand into the opposite corner.
- 5-3 Djokovic: Sinner held to love to stay alive, but Djokovic remained unmoved.
- Set point: Djokovic doubled down on aggression behind his second serve, forcing Sinner into a forehand error before sealing the set.
As the final game ended, Djokovic punched the air — not just for the scoreboard, but for the psychological shift.
Intensity on Display
Throughout the set, Djokovic was visibly animated, repeatedly shouting toward his player box and himself between points. Former British No.1 Annabel Croft noted on BBC Radio that Djokovic had “completely changed the tempo” after Sinner grew comfortable in the first set.
Sinner, by contrast, showed flashes of frustration but remained composed, briefly smiling and pumping his racquet after a rare service hold late in the set.
Match Status (Live)
- Score: Sinner 6-3, Djokovic 6-3
- Third set: Just underway
- Venue: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Djokovic’s ability to flip momentum through serving accuracy — rather than baseline exchanges — has reshaped the contest, forcing Sinner to reset tactically.
What It Means
- Djokovic has now taken his first set off Sinner since the Australian Open semifinals two years ago
- The Serb’s serve, long considered underrated, once again proved decisive under pressure
- Sinner remains composed, but the aura of inevitability he carried into the match has cracked
With both players locked at one set apiece, the quarterfinal has fully opened up.