Novak Djokovic booked a blockbuster Australian Open final against Carlos Alcaraz after surviving a brutal five-set showdown with Jannik Sinner that stretched deep into the night.
The 38-year-old Serb dug deep to end Sinner’s reign as champion, winning 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a gripping semi-final that finished at 1:32 am on Saturday.
Victory sets up a mouthwatering Melbourne decider on Sunday against top seed Alcaraz.
A win would see Djokovic break new ground with a record 25th Grand Slam title, overtaking Margaret Court, who watched from the stands as history edged closer.
Alcaraz earned his place in the final earlier, shaking off fitness concerns to defeat Germany’s Alexander Zverev in a five-set epic of his own.
After four hours and nine minutes of relentless tennis, Djokovic dropped to his knees on Rod Laver Arena, visibly overwhelmed by the moment.
“It feels surreal, to be honest,” said Djokovic, who had lost his previous five meetings with the Italian.
“The level of intensity, and I guess the quality of tennis, was extremely high, and I knew that was the only way for me to have a chance to win tonight against him.”
He continued, “Jokes aside, I told him at the net, thanks for allowing me at least one (win) in the last couple of years.
“I have tremendous respect for him, an incredible player. He pushes you to the very limit, which is what he did tonight to me.”
Despite injury concerns and advancing age, Djokovic’s resilience against Sinner suggests this could be his best opportunity to claim that elusive 25th major.
His last Grand Slam triumph came at the 2023 US Open, with Alcaraz and Sinner largely dominating the men’s game since then.
Djokovic entered the match tied with Court on 24 majors, a milestone that has lingered as a target for the Serb.
Sinner came out firing, breaking early to race into a 3-0 lead and dominating the opening set with clinical serving and precise groundstrokes.
Djokovic responded in the second, breaking for 3-1 and fending off three break points before sealing the set with a stunning crosscourt forehand.
The third set saw a worrying moment for Djokovic, who briefly clutched his chest and slumped into his chair. Sinner capitalised, converting his second break chance at 5-4 when a Djokovic lob sailed long.
But the 10-time Australian Open champion refused to fold. He struck early in the fourth set, forcing a decider as the clock ticked past midnight.
In the fifth, Sinner missed several opportunities to break, while Djokovic stayed ruthless. A crucial break at 4-3 put him within touching distance of an 11th Melbourne final.
Sinner saved two match points at 4-5, but Djokovic sealed victory on the third attempt to end the Italian’s title defence.
Known as the undisputed king of Melbourne Park, Djokovic admitted fortune played its part in his run to the final.
He had benefited from Lorenzo Musetti’s retirement in the quarter-finals while trailing by two sets, and earlier received a walkover when Jakub Mensik withdrew injured.
Still, after reaching the semi-finals of all four majors last year without advancing further, Djokovic now stands one win away from rewriting tennis history.
