Jannik Sinner keeps clean sheet and sets up showdown with Novak Djokovic

Italian Jannik Sinner played into the early hours of Wednesday morning - before the hottest player in tennis set up a showdown with Australian Open king Novak Djokovic.

Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates after victory against Russia's Andrey Rublev during their men's singles quarter-final match on day 10 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 24, 2024. (Photo by David GRAY / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

The hottest player in the world will take on the greatest of all-time in a blockbuster semi-final after Jannik Sinner kept his clean sheet at the Australian Open in an early morning epic.

Sinner is yet to drop a set in the tournament after a rollercoaster quarter-final victory over Andrey Rublev in a match which didn’t finish until 1.21am.

Fortunately the Italian has plenty of time to recover before Friday’s semi-final showdown with defending champion Novak Djokovic.

Sinner didn’t drop a service game in the 2hr 39min slugfest with Rublev, winning 6-4 7-6 (5) 6-3.

Italy's Jannik Sinner embraces Russia's Andrey Rublev after their men's singles quarter-final at the Australian Open.

“It’s obviously very tough to play against him, today it was three sets but I could have lost both first sets,” Sinner said.

“He had so many break points and I somehow served really well on that one.

“But everything goes so fast, it’s just more kind of reaction. I obviously want to thank everyone for staying so long, it’s now 1.25am, but it’s always a huge pleasure to play here on this court.

“It doesn’t really matter, the time. I really appreciate it and I’m happy to be in the next round.”

On facing Djokovic, a 10-time Australian Open champion, Sinner said he was “lucky” to get the opportunity again on the big stage.

“I’m happy to play the No. 1 in the world, he has won here some times,” Sinner said. “I will fight for every ball and we will see what the outcome will be.”

He won’t be intimidated given Sinner is the only man to beat Djokovic twice in 2023.

Rublev, who knocked out Australian Alex de Minaur in the fourth round, was at his erratic best throughout the contest, particularly in the second set tie-break.

The Russian seemed to have the set in his keeping when he led 5-1 in the tie-break before Sinner incredibly reeled off six consecutive points.

Rublev was livid with himself and spent the break between sets gesturing to his players’ box, yelling out 5-1 several times before crashing his fist into the board next to his seat.

He did manage to regroup briefly in the third set but unfortunately for the No. 5 seed he was unable to again shake the quarter-final monkey off his back.

Rublev has now failed to progress past the quarter-final at a grand slam in 10 attempts.

The win sets up a clash with all-time great Novak Djokovic. Picture: Getty Images

Sinner, the No. 4 seed, is through to his second grand slam semi-final. He made the final four at Wimbledon last year where he was defeated by Djokovic.

The quarter-final match didn’t start until 10.42pm after a scheduling blunder saw Djokovic’s match, the last of the day session on Rod Laver Arena, not finish until 8.30pm.

Women’s defending champion Aryna Sabalenka kicked off the night session on centre court, two hours after the scheduled start time.

Officials did float the idea of moving either the women’s quarter-final or the Sinner-Rublev match to Margaret Court Arena but it was rejected by both parties.

Sinner, 22, is coached by Australian Darren Cahill and had some AFL royalty in his players’ box last night.

Former Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark “Chocco” Williams was a part of Sinner’s entourage with Cahill a mad Power fan and former club board member.

Sinner reached his career-high ranking of No. 4 in October when he won the title in Beijing in October. He also led Italy to their second Davis Cup title last year.

Originally published as Jannik Sinner keeps clean sheet and sets up showdown with Novak Djokovic