Jannik Sinner has been a player to beat in 2024, winning seven titles and cementing the year-end no. 1 honor. The Italian collected many notable achievements, including three consecutive wins over the greatest player of all time, Novak Djokovic! Beating Djokovic three times is quite a feat, and it multiplies in complexity when you seek three straight triumphs over the legend. We had to wait for 11 years for someone to notch three consecutive wins against Novak after Rafael Nadal achieved that in 2013. Sinner started his streak at last year's Davis Cup Finals and defeated Djokovic two more times this season to add his name to the exclusive list.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nadal's last great push against Djokovic
Rafa had the edge over Novak before Beijing 2013, cementing it with three consecutive wins on the big scene. The Spaniard generated two streaks against the Serb between Monte Carlo 2012 and the US Open 2013, with Novak intercepting it in Monte Carlo 2013. After that, they met in that epic Roland Garros semi-final, with Nadal prevailing 9-7 in the decider after nearly four hours and 40 minutes! Two months later, Rafa succeeded at the Canada Masters after winning the deciding tie break. The Spaniard and the Serb battled in the US Open final in September, with Rafa sealing the deal in four sets en route to his second crown in New York. Djokovic took charge from Beijing, turning the tables and scoring 11 wins over Nadal in their following 12 encounters!
Jannik launches his streak versus Novak
Let's return to the more recent rivalry. Sinner and Djokovic fought three times within ten days at the end of 2023, with the young gun ousting the veteran two times to gather a boost ahead of 2024. Novak beat Jannik in the ATP Finals title clash, and they battled again six days later at the Davis Cup Finals. Italy and Serbia met in the semi-final, and Djokovic had a massive chance to propel his country into the title clash. He earned three match points against Jannik before experiencing a tough 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 loss, with the 22-year-old keeping his composure to emerge at the top and keep his country alive. Sinner made a reliable start, losing five points in his games in the first set and scoring back-to-back breaks for 6-2 in 37 minutes.
Djokovic raised his level in the second set, serving well and scoring two breaks to take it 6-2 and force a decider after an hour and 19 minutes. Jannik denied a break point in the second game of the final set and closed it after seven deuces for a massive boost. Novak created another break point in the eighth game that could have sent him closer to the finish line. The Italian saved it with a forehand drive-volley winner and held for 4-4 and more drama. Djokovic held at love in game nine and earned three match points in the next one, outplaying his rival in those moments. Jannik imposed his shots and denied them, maintaining his composure and producing a crucial hold for 5-5. The young gun stole the momentum and delivered a break in the 11th game with a forehand down the line winner. He held at 6-5 to seal the deal, earning his second win over Novak in ten days and keeping Italy alive.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sinner downs Djokovic at the Australian Open
Two months later, two rivals extended their rivalry and fought in the Australian Open semi-final. Jannik outplayed Novak 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, reaching his first Major final at 22 and becoming the first player to beat the legend after the quarter-final stage in Melbourne! Sinner had the upper hand in every department, outhitting the ten-time winner and keeping him away from break chances for the first time in completed matches at Majors! Trusting his shots, Jannik was off to a great start, clinching the opening two sets in an hour and 13 minutes and gaining a boost.
Djokovic fought stronger in the third set, saving a match point and prolonging the duel before falling in set number four. Sinner attacked first and welcomed over 50 errors from the 24-time Major winner. Novak stood powerless in the opening two sets before raising his level in the third. He saved a lone break point and reached a tie break, denying a match point with a forced error and stealing the breaker. Jannik made a fresh start in the fourth set and clinched a break in the fourth game from 0-40 that sent him closer to the finish line. The Italian served for the win at 5-3 and fired a forehand down the line winner for a career-best victory.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jannik goes three from three versus Novak in Shanghai
Sinner and Djokovic had to wait nine months to embrace another duel. It came in the Shanghai Masters final, and Jannik earned a 7-6, 6-3 victory, beating Novak for the third time in a row and lifting his fourth Masters 1000 crown. Like in Melbourne, The Italian did not face a break point, providing 11 comfortable holds and keeping the pressure on the Serb. Novak fought well in the opener, reaching a tie break but spraying a couple of errors that would cost him dearly. Djokovic lost serve once in the second set, experiencing his first loss in the Shanghai Masters finals. Jannik claimed five points more than his rival, attacking first and landing 22 winners and 17 unforced errors.
Novak fired only 12 winners, challenging world no. 1 from the baseline but losing the edge at the top. Sinner outplayed Djokovic in the shortest rallies up to four strokes, earning his win in that segment. The opening set witnessed 12 comfortable holds, with two rivals staying neck and neck en route to a tie break. Jannik earned three mini-breaks, using Novak's mistakes at the net and landing a service winner at 6-4 to close the opener in 56 minutes. The Italian served well in the second set, opening a 40-15 lead in every game and bringing them home. Djokovic played a couple of loose shots at the net on serve in the fourth game, suffering a break and falling a set and a break behind. Jannik cemented the advantage and served for the title at 5-3. He landed a powerful serve, emerging at the top and beating Novak for the third time in a row.
