One of the ATP’s premier rivalries announces itself in another Grand Slam semifinal.
In a repeat of last year’s Roland Garros and Wimbledon final four encounters, World No. 2 Jannik Sinner will battle 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open 2026 semifinal on Friday. The Serbian icon will consider himself lucky to still contest for the title, after being on the brink of defeat in the last round. Meanwhile, Sinner is two wins away from a third consecutive crown at Melbourne Park. The winner of this feisty affair will take on Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev in the grand final.
Jannik Sinner has dropped just one set en route to the semifinals. The 24-year-old is already a four-time Grand Slam champion, and has 24 singles trophies to his name. Despite these immaculate numbers amounting to a 79% success rate on tour, it seems miserly in comparison with Novak Djokovic’s 101 titles. The No. 4 seed reached the semis of all four majors in 2025, and is the reigning Olympic gold medalist. Needless to say, he is the only man in tennis history to hold all four majors at once.
Novak Djokovic after Musetti was forced to retire from the QF match at Australian Open
"I don't know what to say except for I feel sorry for him. He was the far better player, I was on my way home tonight. Don't know what to say, these kind of things happen in sport. It happened… pic.twitter.com/mRDasdVxbR
According to the tennis betting odds, Jannik Sinner (-1250) is an outright favorite to win this semifinal encounter on the BetMGM moneyline. On the other hand, Novak Djokovic (+700) has received some of his worst odds on Rod Laver Arena in over a decade. Here’s how we are betting on the Sinner vs Djokovic semifinal at the Australian Open 2026, including our best bets, supporting odds and a set-score prop for bigger prices.
Tournament & Round: Australian Open 2026, Semifinal
Given below are the latest odds for Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic from the top sportsbooks. We are looking at the match money line, game handicap and total games, plus some set betting markets where available.
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It has been precisely two years since Novak Djokovic took a set off the Jannik Sinner racquet. Coincidentally, it took place at the same event and same round in 2024. Since then, the former World No. 1 has gotten the better of Nole in terms of fitness as well as brute force from the baseline. With some possible niggles and blisters potentially curtailing the Serb’s attacks on Friday, we are anticipating a straight sets win for Sinner with the total games remaining under the 32.5 mark.
Statistically, Sinner is on a five match winning streak against Djokovic. Barring his duel against Spizzirri, the Italian has dominated proceedings on first and second serve. On hard courts, he wins 87% service games and saves 70% break points. While Djokovic is among the best defensive masterminds in the history of tennis, his 38-year-old body tends to give way during the latter stages of Grand Slams. Having won around 55% of the total points played in his career, the Djoker will have to induce power and variety like never before to dismantle Sinner.
Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic Head to Head Record
Sinner leads the head-to-head against Djokovic by 6-4. The Serbian had won four out of their first five encounters, after which the young gun flipped the switch. In 2025 alone, Sinner defeated his legendary rival in two Grand Slam semifinals.
Event
Round
Winner
Score
2025 Wimbledon
Semifinal
Jannik Sinner
6-3 6-3 6-4
2025 Roland Garros
Semifinal
Jannik Sinner
6-4 7-5 7-6(3)
2024 Shanghai
Final
Jannik Sinner
7-6(4) 6-3
2024 Australian Open
Semifinal
Jannik Sinner
6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3
2023 Davis Cup
Semifinal
Jannik Sinner
6-2 2-6 7-5
2023 Nitto ATP Finals
Final
Novak Djokovic
6-3 6-3
2023 Nitto ATP Finals
Round Robin
Jannik Sinner
7-5 6-7(5) 7-6(2)
2023 Wimbledon
Semifinal
Novak Djokovic
6-3 6-4 7-6(4)
2022 Wimbledon
Quarterfinal
Novak Djokovic
5-7 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-2
2021 Monte Carlo
Round of 32
Novak Djokovic
6-4 6-2
How to Watch Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open 2026?
The Australian Open 2026 can be viewed live on a variety of streaming platforms and TV channels across the world. This includes Tennis Channel, Stan Sport, ESPN International, TSN, beIN Sports, SuperSport, Canal+, Sony Sports, Eurosport and TNT Sports – depending on where you are watching from.
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Date
January 30, 2026
Time
19:30 Local
Tournament
Australian Open 2026, Semifinal
Surface
Outdoor Hard Court
Court
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
TV/Streaming
Tennis Channel, Stan Sport, ESPN International, TSN, beIN Sports, SuperSport, Canal+, Sony Sports, Eurosport, TNT Sports
A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.
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