Novak Djokovic will meet Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final after both players came through five-set epics to maintain their respective bids for history on an extraordinary day in Melbourne.

The 38-year-old Djokovic will have his latest shot at a record 25th major triumph - the sole unfulfilled ambition of his illustrious career - after the Serb came from behind to beat two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 at 01:30 local time.

Spain’s Alcaraz earlier came through 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (3-7) 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 after an enthralling five hours and 27 minutes against Alexander Zverev.

But the scorelines barely hint at the drama that occurred in both semi-finals.

The men’s singles final takes place on Sunday, after world number one Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina meet in Saturday’s women’s showpiece.

After what was undoubtedly one of the greatest performances of his 20-year career, Djokovic thanked all who had stayed until late into the night to provide support - including Australian great Margaret Court, with whom he shares the overall Grand Slam record at 24.

A staggering success was founded in near-perfect ball striking in key moments, but defined by the remarkable resilience he showed to twice level the match against world number two Sinner, saving eight break points in the fifth set as he battled to victory after four hours and nine minutes.

Having looked physically fatigued as he conceded the third set, Djokovic grew in strength and refused to fold under sustained pressure as another thrilling conclusion unfolded on Rod Laver Arena.

A 10-time winner in Melbourne, Djokovic produced a remarkable recovery from 0-40 down to move a game from victory after striking the first blow for a 4-3 lead, eventually ending Sinner’s resistance with a third match point to become the oldest man in the professional era to reach the Australian Open final.

This will be his first Grand Slam final appearance since Wimbledon in 2024, while success would bring Djokovic his first major title since the 2023 US Open.

Standing in his way of a historic triumph is world number one Alcaraz, who fell to the floor in complete disbelief after sealing a victory which kept alive his bid to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.

The 22-year-old had clinched the first two sets against Zverev and was cruising when, serving at 4-4 in the third, he suddenly pulled up and struggled to move.

The world number one took a medical timeout - leaving third seed Zverev irate - and looked a shadow of his former self as his German opponent forced a decider.

Zverev went an early break up in the fifth set and served for the match at 5-4, before Alcaraz produced a scarcely believable comeback to reach a first Australian Open final.

Those inside Rod Laver Arena could have been forgiven for expecting the day’s second semi-final to be somewhat less dramatic than the first.

Sinner had dominated recent matches against Djokovic, winning each of the previous five meetings for the loss of just a single set over the past two years.

But the momentum swung back and forth throughout a gripping encounter which captivated the crowd’s attention right up until the moment Sinner hit wide on a third match point, prompting Djokovic to sink to his knees in relief and celebration.

He has been shut out in his pursuit of history by the sport’s new duopoly, with his 2023 US Open win the last time a Slam was not won by either Sinner or Alcaraz.

Italian Sinner, a four-time major winner, looked to set the tone for another efficient victory with a clean opening set in which he hit 15 winners and surrendered just five points on serve.

But Djokovic launched his response in the second set, whipping up the crowd as he broke for the first time to lead 3-1 and withstood four break points to restore parity.

He could only smile after Sinner saved the first break point of the third set by squeezing a stunning backhand down the line - but that proved pivotal as the 24-year-old broke in the 10th game to regain his advantage.

The Serb quickly dispelled any notion that it would mark Sinner’s dash to the finish by seizing the initiative in set four, staving off two more break points en route to securing a deciding set.

There Djokovic claimed his revenge on Sinner, his conqueror in the semi-finals at both Wimbledon and the French Open last year, to bring title number 25 back into view.

“I’m lost for words, to be honest,” Djokovic said.

“It feels surreal, playing over four hours, it’s almost 2am. I am reminiscing about 2012 when I played Rafa [Nadal] in the final.

“[Sinner] had my mobile number, so I had to change my number for tonight!”
Alcaraz has produced some astonishing comebacks at Slams - none more than when he saved three championship points before going on to beat Sinner in last year’s French Open final.

But this win, given his physical condition, will be just as pleasing.

Alcaraz stood at the back of court, telling himself “little by little, Charly, vamos” as he tried to find some energy late in the fourth set.

Even before he began cramping, Alcaraz was the braver player. He took control of the rallies, going for the big shots - and finishing the match with 78 winners to Zverev’s 56 showed how his ‘big-time’ tennis paid off.

Zverev played at a high level, but was not ruthless enough when it mattered.

Alcaraz could barely run at the end of the third set, but Zverev sprayed errors off the weakened serve and rarely tested him at the net.

Twice Zverev had 0-30 on the Spaniard’s serve to force a fifth set. Twice Alcaraz, urged on by the crowd, held, and then served to love to send the fourth set to a tie-break.

However, Zverev took advantage of Alcaraz’s faltering serve in the tie-break and again in the first game of the fifth set to go an immediate break up.

But the German has crumbled in key moments before and his break lead never felt safe.

Buoyed by the crowd, Alcaraz broke to get the match back on serve and then capitalised on Zverev’s nerves as the German served at 6-5 down to try to force a 10-point tie-break but was left to contemplate another devastating loss.

“I always say that you have to believe in yourself no matter what,” said Alcaraz.

“I couldn’t be here right now without these guys [the crowd]. The way you pushed me back into the match on every point is crazy.”

Source: BBC 
--Agencies