Jan. 30 (UPI) — Novak Djokovic absorbed Jannik Sinner’s power and outlasted the Italian in five sets to earn a stunning victory in an Australian Open semifinal, which started Friday and ended early Saturday in Melbourne.
With the triumph, Djokovic clinched a spot in the Australian Open men’s singles finale for the 11th time. He’s been a perfect 10-0 so far.
“The level of intensity and quality of tennis was extremely high,” Djokovic said on the ESPN broadcast. “I knew that was the only way for me to have a chance to win.
Sinner beat Djokovic in their last five meetings.
“I told him at the net, ‘thanks for allowing me at least one,'” Djokovic said. “I have tremendous respect for him. Incredible player. He pushes you to the very end.”
The No. 4 Serbian will attempt to win a 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would break a tie with Margaret Court for the most in tennis history for a man or woman, when he meets top-ranked Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday in Melbourne.
Alcaraz, who can become the youngest man in history to complete a career Grand Slam with his first Australian Open title, went 3-1 against Djokovic over their last four Grand Slam matchups.
“It feels like winning already,” Djokovic said. “I know I have to come back in less than a couple of days and fight the No. 1 in the world. I just hope I’ll have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with him. That’s my desire.”
Sinner, who won the last two Australian Open crowns, topped Djokovic 26-12 in aces and 72-46 in winners.
But Djokovic saved 16 of 18 break points he faced and broke Sinner’s serve three times in the 4-hour, 9-minute 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
The match followed a grueling, 5-hour, 27-minute battle between Alcaraz and No. 3 Alexander Zverev. The Spaniard broke the German’s serve four times and held a 78-56 edge in winners in that 6-4, 7-6(5), 6(3)-7, 6(4)-7, 7-5 thriller.
Zverev totaled 17 aces, compared to Alcaraz’s 12. He also committed 55 unforced errors, against his foe’s 58. Zverev converted 2 of 7 break point chances in the first semifinal.
“Every second more of suffering, one second more of fighting is always worth it,” Alcaraz said. “That’s why I fight until the last ball and always believe I can come back in any situation.”
Top-ranked Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka will battle No. 5 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the women’s singles final Saturday at Melbourne Park.
That meeting, a rematch of the 2023 women’s final, will air at 3:30 a.m. EST on ESPN. Djokovic will face Alcaraz in the men’s final at 3:30 a.m. Sunday on ESPN. Encore presentations of those respective matchups will air at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on ESPN2.
