Djokovic on verge of grand slam history after AO epic
Shayne Hope |
Novak Djokovic is just one win away from an unprecedented 25th grand slam singles crown after he outlasted two-time defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner in a classic semi-final.
The 38-year-old Serbian legend was twice down a set and appeared physically ill at one point during the third set at a rocking Rod Laver Arena on Friday night.
But the 10-time AO champion wound back the clock and rallied to post an epic 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 victory, which finished in four hours and nine minutes at 1.32am local time in Melbourne.
Djokovic, the world No.4, becomes the oldest man to qualify for an AO final in the open era and will meet world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s decider after the Spaniard beat Alexander Zverev in another five-set semi-final thriller.
It will be Djokovic’s first grand slam final since he was beaten by Alcaraz in the 2024 Wimbledon final, while an 11th AO triumph would mean he surpasses Margaret Court as the only player to win 25 grand slam singles titles.
An emotional Djokovic was lost for words on court after sharing an embrace with Sinner, and paid tribute to Court, who was in the front row of the grandstand.
“It feels surreal, to be honest – playing over four hours, almost 2am,” Djokovic said.
“Reminiscing in 2012 when I played Rafa (Nadal) in finals, that was six hours almost, but the level of intensity and the quality of tennis was extremely high.
“I knew that was the only way for me to win tonight against him.
“He won the last five matches against me. He had my mobile number, so I had to change my number for tonight.
“But jokes aside, I told him thanks for allowing me at least one in the last couple of years.
“I have tremendous respect for him. Incredible player, he pushes you to the very limit, which is what he did tonight to me.”
Critics had doubted Djokovic’s ability to win another slam after he was knocked out in the semi-finals at all four majors last year.
The Serbian veteran also conceded after the US Open it would be difficult to compete with the likes of next-gen superstars Sinner and Alcaraz, who have dominated the slams over the last two years.
“I said that they were playing on a different level, so just had to find that level,” Djokovic said.
He did just that, showing all his old trademark resilience as he saved 16 of 18 break points.
Djokovic dropped the first set but hit back early in the second and ended the Italian’s streak of 38 service holds against all opponents in the process.
He also went on to win the second set, snapping a run of 10 consecutive sets he had lost to Sinner in the past two years, which included semi-final demolitions at Roland Garros and Wimbledon last year.
But Djokovic struggled physically at times during the third set, and appeared to be sick into a towel at a change of ends, when trailing 4-3.
The rollercoaster continued as the pair traded blows in a high-class contest and Djokovic held his nerve with the match on the line.
He was handed a time violation when serving at 4-3 and deuce in the fifth set, but managed to regroup and hold before serving out the match.
Sinner kept battling right to the end, but Djokovic eventually sealed victory on his third match point to achieve his first win over the Italian since November 2023.
A four-time major winner, Sinner could have matched a feat twice achieved by Djokovic with a third consecutive AO crown.
Instead, he was left ruing a painful defeat.
“It was a very important slam for me, of course, but it can happen,” Sinner said.
“It was a good match for both of us and I had many chances, couldn’t use them and that’s the outcome. It hurts, for sure.”
AAP
