Day 13 preview: Men’s semi-finals in focus

Djokovic would finally land his gold last year – meaning that with Andy Murray in attendance, three Olympic singles gold winners will be on court at Rod Laver Arena on Friday.

Unusually for Zverev, he is well rested in the second week at a Grand Slam, having conceded just two sets. However, he narrowly avoided being two sets behind against Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals.

Paul, the AO 2023 semi-finalist with the all-court game, served for the first set and led 5-2 in the second, but lost them both.

Twelve months ago, while Djokovic fell to Sinner in the semi-finals in four sets, Zverev saw Daniil Medvedev overturn a two-set deficit to add to his Grand Slam heartbreak.

Zverev showed his hunger to win the first major for the 15th time when it was brought to his attention on Tuesday that he passed compatriots Boris Becker for most Australian Open men’s wins and Tommy Haas to take the top spot among German men in the total Slam wins.

“I think the big difference from what everyone is looking at is that Boris Becker lifted this trophy twice,” said Zverev, who lost both of his Grand Slam finals in five sets.

“I haven’t yet. So it’s, I think, far more important than just match wins.

“Of course I’m happy to be on that list and I’m happy to be in that conversation about greats in German tennis. But yes, lifting the trophy is what’s on my mind.”

Jannik Sinner (1) vs. Ben Shelton (21)

Friday, from 7.30pm AEDT
Head-to-head: Sinner leads 4-1

Especially when it comes to hard courts, Sinner lifts the trophies most of the time.

Like his second no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka he is the reigning Australian and US Open champion.

Sinner felt he played his best match of the tournament in the quarter-finals, which happened to come at the expense of home favorite Alex de Minaur.

In a matchup he has thrived in – now 10-0 against the Sydney native – Sinner made 81 per cent of his second serve points in Wednesday night’s session.

Afterwards, he shed light on his physical condition after being dizzy against Holger Rune in the fourth round.

“After the fight against Holger we did some blood tests, some tests,” said the Italian.

“They were all solid, all good.

“Sometimes it can happen that you just don’t feel so well that day. (Wednesday) I woke up feeling much, much better. I immediately told my team that I am fine tonight.

“Obviously, not playing with the heat helps you, especially when you’re not feeling so well.”