Novak Djokovic faces Jannik Sinner at the big-money Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia, with Carlos Alcaraz waiting in the final after brushing aside Taylor Fritz in a blockbuster day of action
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Alcaraz was making his first appearance since withdrawing from the Shanghai Masters due to an ankle injury, but the World No 1 was in sensational form as he defeated the American Fritz 6-4 6-2 behind a stunning array of shots. In the second semi-final, Sinner will lock horns with Djokovic, having won his last six matches against the 24-time grand slam champion. It could set up the first meeting between Alcaraz and Sinner since the US Open final last month.
The six-player event is taking place across three days in Riyadh with every player earning a $1.5m appearance fee and a massive $4.5m going to the overall winner. Alcaraz and Djokovic were given byes straight to today’s semi-finals, while Sinner and Fritz came through Wednesday’s quarter-finals with little fuss.
Every match is streamed live on Netflix and last year’s final saw Sinner beat Alcaraz to become the inaugural Six Kings Slam champion, so the Italian will be keen to retain his crown in Riyadh over the next few days.
BREAK! Novak Djokovic 1-2 Jannik Sinner*
WHAT. I think that’s the point of the exhibition. After a brilliant rally, Djokovic is somehow able to get to several smashes with Sinner, which kick up off the bouncy court. Sinner is finally able to put Djokovic away - as the Italian flashes a smile down the other end of the court.
And Sinner has started this match on fire, working himself into the court and ripping his forehand. He wins two points in a row behind massive strikes and brings up break point.
Djokovic goes for the serve-and-volley, but Sinner clocked it and drills the backhand return. Djokovic nets and Sinner gets the early advantage.
*Novak Djokovic 1-1 Jannik Sinner
Sinner called the court surface at the Six Kings Slam “unusual” and “interesting” after his opening win over Stefanos Tsitsipas, and a second-serve ace that skipped past Djokovic did look quite weird.
Sinner controls a magnificent overhead and thumps it past Djokovic, who applauds as the Italian takes the hold.
Novak Djokovic 1-0 Jannik Sinner*
An early signal of intent from Djokovic as he takes the ball early and blasts a forehand winner down the line.
Sinner goes long as Djokovic takes in a deep breath, and that’s an excellent start for the Serbian as he launches an ace down the middle.
*Novak Djokovic 0-0 Jannik Sinner
Djokovic and Sinner also met at this stage of the Six Kings Slam last year, with Sinner winning on his way to lifting the title - where he also defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
He faces the same run this time. Sinner wins the toss, and elects to receive. It will be interesting to see how Djokovic holds up physically after struggling towards the end of the Shanghai Masters last week.
Novak Djokovic v Jannik Sinner
Here we go! It’s the latest meeting between Novak Djokovic and one of his young rivals, this time Jannik Sinner - who has won his last six matches against the 24-time grand slam champion.
Djokovic reached the semi-finals of all four grand slams in 2025, but was defeated by Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon, and Alcaraz at the US Open.
“They're just too good, playing on a really high level,” Djokovic said at the US Open.
“I think I had enough energy to battle him and to keep up with his rhythm for two sets. After that I was gassed out, and he kept going. That's kind of what I felt this year also with Jannik. Best-of-five makes it very, very difficult for me to play them. Particularly if it's like the end stages of the grand slam.”
So today Djokovic gets his wish: he gets to play Sinner in best-of-three. How will it go?