Serbian great Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final after edging past defending champion Jannik Sinner in a dramatic five-set semifinal that finished deep into Saturday morning.
The 38-year-old rolled back the years at Rod Laver Arena, battling through physical and emotional extremes to defeat Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, with the match ending at 1:32 am.
Djokovic will now meet world number one Alcaraz in Sunday’s title decider in Melbourne. Victory would hand the Serb an all-time record 25th Grand Slam title, taking him clear of Margaret Court, with whom he is currently tied on 24 majors.
Alcaraz reached the final after overcoming fitness concerns to beat German third seed Alexander Zverev in another gruelling five-set semifinal.
After four hours and nine minutes of intense tennis, Djokovic collapsed to his knees on court, visibly emotional.
“It feels surreal, to be honest,” Djokovic said after ending a five-match losing streak to Sinner.
“The level of intensity and the quality of tennis were extremely high, and I knew that was the only way for me to have a chance tonight.”
He added:
“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. He pushes you to the very limit — which is exactly what he did tonight.”
Sinner had started strongly, racing into a 3-0 lead in the opening set and taking full control with sharp serving and fearless baseline play. Djokovic responded in the second set, breaking early and saving three break points to level the match.
The third set swung back in Sinner’s favour after Djokovic briefly showed signs of physical distress, clutching his chest before losing the set. But the former world number one refused to fold, breaking early in the fourth set and forcing a decider as the clock passed midnight.
In the fifth, Djokovic showed his experience, seizing a crucial break for 4-3 and eventually converting his third match point after Sinner saved two at 5-4 down.
Despite injuries and fitness concerns throughout the tournament — including a walkover win in the fourth round and a retirement from Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals — Djokovic once again proved why he is regarded as the undisputed king of Melbourne Park, where he has won 10 Australian Open titles.
Sunday’s final against Alcaraz pits tennis experience against youth, with the Serb hoping for one last push toward history against a rival 16 years his junior.
