Australian Open Day 13: How to watch, start times for Novak Djokovic v Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev v Daniil Medvedev
It’s Day 13 of the 2024 Australian Open, and the business end of the Grand Slam is well and truly here with the men’s semi-finals on Rod Laver Arena.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will be first up on Rod Laver Arena as he faces an appetising match-up with Jannik Sinner.
Sinner defeated Djokovic twice towards the end of last year – first at the Nitto ATP Tour Finals and then in the Davis Cup – but best-of-five sets in Melbourne against the 10-time champion is a different kettle of fish.
In the other semi, Zverev takes on the seemingly indefatigable Daniil Medvedev, who has come through a number of exhausting tests on his way to the last four.
Can Sinner do the impossible?
Beating Djokovic, on hard courts, in Melbourne, over five sets, is currently the Everest of men’s tennis.
The Serbian hasn’t lost a match at the venue since 2018, when Hyeon Chung remarkably secured a straight-sets triumph.
Sinner now knows he has the beating of his upcoming adversary after his two wins late last year, but does he have enough in the tank, physically and mentally, to get past the great man?
Djokovic v Sinner, Zverev v Medvedev – Blockbuster semi-finals
Djokovic has never previously lost a semi-final match at the Australian Open in 10 previous attempts.
He has also won all 10 finals he has played at the Grand Slam.
Zverev showing best form since comeback – but will it be enough?
Zverev’s ankle injury at Roland-Garros in 2022 left the German – at the time playing arguably the best tennis of his career – out of competition for the rest of the season, but he has seemed well and truly back this year in Melbourne.
‘Horrible to see’ – Zverev hobbles off court on crutches as Nadal and crowd applaud
A solid pre-season training block has seen Zverev able to outlast – and indeed outplay – some of the best players in the world during his run in Melbourne, none more so in evidence than against Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.
Zverev said after his win over Alcaraz that Medvedev – his opponent in the semis – has “kicked my a***” in their recent meetings, but will the tables turn this time?
‘He’s kicked my a***’ – Zverev looks ahead to playing Medvedev in semi-finals
Medvedev is battle-hardened after his slew of punishing matches on the Melbourne cement, and will provide the toughest examination yet of Zverev’s confidence and credentials.
Who else is playing on Day 13 at 2024 Australian Open?
The action on Rod Laver Arena starts with Great Britain’s Neal Skupski competing in the mixed doubles final with Desirae Krawczyk.
Play is due to get under way at around 1am UK time.
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid play in the men’s wheelchair doubles semi-finals and Andy Lapthorne competes in the men’s quad wheelchair doubles semi-finals.
SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY, SINGLES – FRIDAY, JANUARY 26 (ALL UK TIMES)
ROD LAVER ARENA
Day session (not before 03.30)
- Novak Djokovic [1] v Jannik Sinner [4]
Night session (from 08.30)
- Daniil Medvedev [3] v Alexander Zverev [6]
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