Novak Djokovic defeated Jannik Sinner in a five-set semifinal at the Australian Open, ending the Italian's five-match winning streak against him. The 38-year-old Serb triumphed 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a match that concluded at 1:35 a.m. local time, securing his place in the final against Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic, who will turn 39 in four months, became the oldest man to reach the Australian Open final in the professional era. He will now face Alcaraz, who battled through a five-hour, 27-minute semifinal against Alexander Zverev to reach his first Australian Open final.
Sinner, the defending two-time champion, had won their last five meetings but struggled to convert eight break-point chances in the final set. Djokovic, meanwhile, saved 16 of the 18 break points he faced.
'I’m lost for words right now,' Djokovic said on court. 'It feels surreal to be honest. Playing almost four hours, reminiscing in 2012, I played Rafa in the final that was six hours. The level of intensity was extremely high and I knew that was my only chance to win against him tonight.'
Sinner acknowledged Djokovic's performance, stating, 'He’s won 24 Grand Slams. We know each other very well, how we play, so I always said, never [underestimate him] because I feel like he’s the greatest player for many, many years.'
The final between Djokovic and Alcaraz will be one of the biggest in tennis history, with the Spaniard aiming to become the youngest man to complete the set of all four major titles and Djokovic bidding to become the first player to win 25 Grand Slams.