The 2020 Australian Open will have its biggest showdown in the classic rivalry between Roger Federer and defending champion Novak Djokovic on Thursday night. The two tennis stars face off in the Semifinals for a shot at another major title and a record prize of $4.12 million. Here is what to know and how to tune in for another chapter in the Federer vs. Djokovic rivalry.
When is the match?
The match is set to begin on Thursday, January 30 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
How can I watch the Australian Open Semifinals?
If you are watching in the US, Federer vs. Djokovic will be broadcast by ESPN and the Tennis Channel. Those with access can enjoy it on TV as part of their usual subscription package.
For those looking to stream, the network’s subscription service ESPN+ will carry the match.
Here are some listings around the globe:
- Africa: BeIN Sports, EuroSport, SuperSport
- Asia Pacific & Oceania: ESPN, Fox Sports, Nine, BTV, CCTV, FBC, SINA, GDTV, QIY, NHK, Sky Sports, Sony Six, W_O_W_O_W
- Canada: TSN, RDS
- Central Asia: EuroSport, Sony Six
- Europe: EuroSport, ServusTV
- Latin America & Caribbean: ESPN
- Middle East: BeIN Sports, EuroSport
- United States: ESPN and ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPN3 and Tennis Channel
Where is it being played?
The Australian Open is held in Melbourne, Australia and played at Melbourne Park on a hard surface court.
How much are tickets?
The cheapest ticket for the Australian Open Semifinals Night is currently going for $431.85 at Stubhub, with the most expensive going for $1,446.74.
What road did each player take to get to the Semifinals?
Federer: In the opening round, the Swiss tennis star and No. 3 seed took down American Steve Johnson in three sets. Federer did the same to Filip Krajinovic in the second round, but was pushed to five sets against John Millman in the third round and four sets against Marton Fucsovics in the fourth. Closing out his journey to the Semifinals, Federer took down American Tennys Sandgren in four sets on Monday, January 27.
Djokovic: The Serbian and No. 2 seed in the tournament took a slightly different route than Federer, playing Jan-Lennard Struff to five sets in the first round, but sweeping each of his four remaining competitors to reach the Semifinals.
Who will the winner play in the Finals?
Possibly Dominic Thiem, who upset top seed Rafael Nadal in a four-hour, 10-minute match, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (6). Or it will be Thiem’s semifinal opponent, Alexander Zverev.
What is the head-to-head record between Federer and Djokovic?
Djokovic currently holds the lead against Federer with a record of 26-23. Federer won the previous match between the two at the 2019 ATP Finals tournament, but Djokovic bested Federer in the 2019 Wimbledon Finals and has won 9 of the last 12 against the Swiss legend, dating back to 2015.
Does Federer or Djokovic have more majors wins?
Federer holds the record for most major singles titles for a male at 20. Djokovic, the 2019 Australian Open champion, is not far behind Federer with 16 major titles.
How many Australian Open titles have Federer and Djokovic won?
Djokovic holds the record with seven Australian Open titles, but Federer is one off of that mark with six.
Australian bush fires
Melbourne hasn’t been as badly affected as Canberra or Sydney by the fires, however, thanks to changing winds air pollution shot up to “hazardous” levels in the week running up to the event.
While the tournament is proceeding as scheduled, umpires have been told to stop play if air monitoring shows it is too dangerous to continue.
