Australian Open: 'I'm going to call the upset' - Novak Djokovic v Jannik Sinner verdict from Tim Henman, Justine Henin
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Updated 25/01/2024 at 21:09 GMT
Ahead of Novak Djokovic facing Jannik Sinner in the men's singles semi-finals at the Australian Open, Eurosport's panel of experts - Justine Henin, Tim Henman, Barbara Schett and Mats Wilander - have given their predictions on the momentous clash that lies ahead on Friday, live on Eurosport and discovery+. Can the pretender dethrone the King? We're close to finding out...
'I believe he can!' - Henman calls for an upset for Sinner against Djokovic
It is the match most people expected - and wanted - to happen in the top half of the men's singles draw at the Australian Open - Novak Djokovic v Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic progressed into Friday's semi-finals after downing Taylor Fritz in the last eight, while Italy's Sinner breezed through yet another match in straight sets, this time beating Andrey Rublev.
With Alexander Zverev or Daniil Medvedev awaiting in the final - that clash is second on Rod Laver on Friday - the question on everyone's lips is: who will come out on top?
Eurosport's panel of experts have had their say...
Henin says 'tennis is a big surprise'
2004 Australian Open champion Justine Henin was first up...
"Jannik Sinner loves to improve day after day. He always talks about the process. It’s not a huge opportunity because he will have others.
"He knows he’s going to learn other things against Djokovic in this Grand Slam. He’d never beaten him before the end of last season; he did it in a brilliant way.
"We can see how much he has improved. It’s going to depend a lot on a lot of things. They will both play great tennis; they will both want to win the match. It will come from the heart, also physically.
"Can he [beat Djokovic]? I’ll use my joker on this question; there’s no way I can answer that. I would say no at the moment, but tennis is a big surprise all the time.
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Djokovic blows kiss to Kyrgios on commentary after shot
"I wish for him that he can find a way in the future because we love the guy."
Henman 'calls the upset'
Former British No. 1 Tim Henman was next to give his view...
"I think with these two players, they haven't had the physical demands of Medvedev and Zverev getting through to the semi-finals. I don't think it [the likely cooler conditions] makes too much difference.
"For me, Sinner’s the most improved player in the men’s game in the last six months, the way he played at the end of last year, he beat Djokovic for the first time at the tour-ending championships.
"That belief to have got over the line once - best of five is different, I know that - but I believe he can and I’m going to call the upset."
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Djokovic battles past Fritz in brutal heat to reach semi-finals - Australian Open highlights
Schett believes serve 'most important thing' for Sinner
Barbara Schett, who has had a courtside seat in Melbourne during the tournament, can't see a way past Djokovic...
"How many matches did Novak Djokovic win here in a row? I can’t keep counting anymore [33]. How can you beat Novak Djokovic here?
"Yes of course Sinner can do it, but it’s so much harder at a Grand Slam event. One thing he has to do really well if he wants to have a chance is serve well. That’s the most important thing.
"From the baseline, I think he is up to speed. He is playing aggressive; he can stay in the rally. Can he do it over the course of five sets? I don’t think so, and I’m a big Jannik Sinner fan."
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Jannik Sinner v Andrey Rublev - Australian Open highlights
Wilander - 'I think he can'
Seven-time major champion Mats Wilander, as a three-time winner of the Australian Open, knows a thing or two about winning in Melbourne...
"I think he [Sinner] can [win], because they played three times, ATP Finals twice, and the Davis Cup. He had match points, and he beat Novak in that doubles as well.
"So he got a very concentrated time with Novak on court. Yes, five sets is different, but to play the same player three times in less than two weeks, and a doubles, I think he will have learned so much, and the belief has to be there after those two weeks for him."
Final score among our experts, therefore, is 2-2....
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