MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic is poised to confront Carlos Alcaraz in a scintillating Australian Open final after surmounting reigning two-time champion Jannik Sinner in an epic five-set duel early Saturday, edging ever closer to sporting immortality.
The 38-year-old Serbian maestro overcame Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a grueling contest that extended past 1:30 am, setting the stage for a Sunday showdown with top seed Alcaraz. A victory would bestow upon Djokovic a historic 25th Grand Slam title, a benchmark unprecedented in the annals of men’s tennis.
Alcaraz, despite contending with physical discomfort, emerged victorious in his own marathon five-set semi-final against German third seed Alexander Zverev, ensuring that the final represents a riveting generational confrontation experience pitted against youthful dynamism.
With advancing age and the inevitability of physical decline looming, this may constitute Djokovic’s most opportune moment to secure the elusive milestone. Yet his resolute and unyielding performance against Sinner attests that the Serb’s formidable prowess and strategic acumen remain undiminished.
Djokovic’s previous Grand Slam triumph came at the 2023 US Open. Since then, Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated men’s tennis, leaving Djokovic tied on 24 majors alongside Australian luminary Margaret Court, who witnessed the semi-final firsthand.
Sinner, 24, commenced with remarkable vigour at Rod Laver Arena, breaking Djokovic’s serve to establish a commanding 3-0 advantage. The Italian capitalised on his precision groundstrokes and formidable serving to secure the first set.
Djokovic, however, mounted a masterful resurgence in the second set, breaking Sinner for a 3-1 lead and thwarting three break points at 4-1. A searing crosscourt forehand clinched the set, equalising the contest.
Midway through the third set, Djokovic appeared momentarily vulnerable, clutching his chest and briefly collapsing into his seat. Sinner seized the opportunity, taking the set 6-4 after converting his second break point at 5-4.
Nonetheless, Djokovic’s indomitable spirit prevailed. He broke Sinner early in the fourth set and, as the clock ticked past midnight, propelled the match to a decisive fifth set.
In this final chapter, Djokovic executed a crucial break for 4-3, maintained composure under immense pressure, and, despite Sinner saving two match points, ultimately secured victory on his third opportunity.
This triumph secures Djokovic an 11th Australian Open final, reaffirming his unrivalled dominance at Melbourne Park, where he has previously lifted ten titles. Despite the achievement, Djokovic humbly acknowledged fortune’s role and recognised the formidable challenge posed by Sinner.
The Serb’s journey to the final has been arduous: he was two sets down in the quarter-final against Lorenzo Musetti before the Italian retired due to injury and benefited from Jakub Mensik’s fourth-round withdrawal.
Having reached the semi-finals in all four Grand Slams last year without claiming a title, Djokovic enters this Australian Open final with an acute awareness of its historic significance and the singular opportunity it presents to cement his legacy.
