Outside the lines, 25.1/Video editing: Ziv Steiner
Novak Djokovic's journey towards his 25th career Grand Slam title was stopped this morning (Friday) by Yannick Siner, who beat the Serbian 6:1, 2:6, 7:6 (6), 3:6 in the semifinals Australian Championship and qualified for the Grand Slam final for the first time in his career.
The Italian (4th in the world) is on a streak of 11 victories, since losing to Djokovic in the final of the Torino tournament, and he prevented the No. 1 seed from becoming the sole record holder of the Majors (currently 24 wins, like Margaret Court) and was also the first to beat him in Melbourne after six years and 2,195 days.
The shocked Djokovic admitted in the press conference after the match: "I was shocked by my level. I hardly did anything right in the first two sets. It was one of the worst Grand Slam matches of my career. Not a very pleasant feeling to play like that, but at the same time credit to the apron that did everything True and better than me. He deserves to be in the final, he completely surpassed me."
The ruler of Australia is separated.
Novak Djokovic/Reuters
"You just have to try to return as many balls as possible."
Yannick Siner with Novak Djokovic/Reuters
The 22-year-old Siner is only the third player in history to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam, Davis Cup and ATP Tour final - all in the last two months.
He was preceded only by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of course.
The Italian was proud of the finish: "I started off great. He lost the first two sets and I felt that he wasn't really comfortable. In the third set I missed a forehand in the tie breaker and lost the set. I tried to prepare already for the fourth set and the atmosphere here was amazing. I was waiting for this match, it's always nice to learn from a player Like Novak. I lost to him in the Wimbledon semifinals and I learned a lot from that."
When asked how to beat Djokovic, he replied with a smile: "I don't know, ask him! We have a similar style, you just have to try to return as many balls as possible. He is an unusual server, you have to push and move as much as possible. I hope to face him Again. I gained confidence from the end of last year and continued to believe that I can compete with the best players in the world. I'm very happy to be able to play in my first final."
Former tennis player Tim Hanneman complimented the winner: "When he had that game point in the third set, he looked a little jumpy in his forehand and lost it. After you've already lost a 0:2 lead against Djokovic at Wimbledon, you start thinking is history going to repeat itself? But he's a better player now, more mature and didn't panic. He did a phenomenal job and a phenomenal achievement. I liked the way he reacted after the victory - no wild celebrations. He understands that this is part of the journey, he wants the first Grand Slam of his career."
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Novak Djokovic
Yannick Siner