The crowds at the Australian Open certainly got value for their ticket price money today as both semi-finals delivered epic 5-set battles. While Zverev was close but couldn’t cause an upset earlier today, Djokovic showed once again why he’s one of the best players ever on the tour.
In a late showing, Novak Djokovic defeated the defending champion Jannik Sinner in a demanding five-set marathon at Rod Laver Arena on Friday. The 38-year-old Serbian legend secured his place in the Australian Open final with a 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
The win marks a major milestone for Djokovic, who snapped a five-match losing streak against the Italian world number two. He is now just one win away from a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and an 11th crown in Melbourne.
Match Highlights
The battle lasted over four hours, characterised by high-intensity rallies and dramatic momentum shifts:
- Sinner came out firing, taking the first set 6-3 and looking poised to continue his recent dominance over the Serb.
- Djokovic responded by clinching the second set, but Sinner again took the lead by winning the third.
- Down 1-2 in sets, Djokovic relied on his legendary resilience. He broke Sinner’s serve in the fourth set to force a decider.
- In the fifth set, Djokovic secured a crucial break at 3-3 and held his nerve to serve out the match, saving multiple break points in the final games.
| Player | Sets Won | Aces | Critical Moment |
| Novak Djokovic | 3 | 12 | Saved 16 of 18 break points |
| Jannik Sinner | 2 | 21 | Smashed a career-best 21 aces |
UNBELIEVABLE ??
Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the #AO26 Final after playing out this EPIC with Jannik Sinner@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/DLUdQdtFmd
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2026
What’s Next for Novak?
Djokovic will face world number one Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final. Alcaraz reached the championship match earlier today after winning a record-breaking five-hour marathon against Alexander Zverev.