Djokovic Edges Sinner in Marathon Australian Open Clash
In a contest that stretched the limits of endurance and skill, Novak Djokovic secured a monumental victory over defending champion Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals. The Serbian legend, aged 38, prevailed with a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 after more than four hours of intense competition on Rod Laver Arena. This hard-fought win sets the stage for a highly anticipated final against world number one Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.
A Test of Resilience and Stamina
The match began with Sinner asserting his recent dominance, easing into a 3-0 lead in the opening set. The Italian had won the previous five meetings between the two players, claiming nine consecutive sets. This pattern seemed set to continue as Sinner clinched the first set with relative ease. Djokovic, who had not won a set since his third-round match due to an opponent's injury withdrawal in the fourth round, faced significant pressure early on.
However, the 24-time Grand Slam champion demonstrated his characteristic resilience. In the second set, Djokovic elevated his game with aggressive baseline tennis, winning his first set against Sinner since their 2024 semi-final encounter at Melbourne Park. Chasing an outright record 25th Grand Slam title, the former world number one played with renewed confidence, leaving his younger opponent struggling to keep pace.
Twists and Turns in a Five-Set Thriller
As the match progressed, the physical toll became evident. Deep in the third set, several unforced errors from Djokovic allowed Sinner to break at 4-5 and claim the set. The veteran Serb was seen bending down between points and collapsing into his chair during changeovers, while the 24-year-old Italian appeared to be outlasting him. Yet, Djokovic's fighting spirit shone through as he broke Sinner in the first game of the fourth set.
His serve, a crucial weapon in the latter stages of his career, proved instrumental as he saved multiple break points. This resilience paid off as he served out a thrilling fourth set, ensuring both men's semi-finals would go the distance. This marked the first five-set match between Djokovic and Sinner since the 2022 Wimbledon quarter-finals, which Djokovic also won after being two sets down.
Dramatic Conclusion on Rod Laver Arena
The fifth set was a tense affair, with Djokovic's serve continuing to trouble Sinner. The Serbian saved two break points in the second game and battled to save more in the fourth game as Sinner pushed for a crucial advantage. Djokovic eventually took a 4-3 lead, putting himself in a strong position to advance to the final. Despite visible exhaustion, he pushed the set to 5-3, needing just one more game to secure the match.
Sinner, demonstrating immense fight, pulled it back to 5-4 with a commanding game. As Djokovic served for the match, the crowd inside Rod Laver Arena rallied behind him. The game saw dramatic swings: an ace gave Djokovic a 15-love start, but Sinner fought back to 40-40 after a tense rally. Ultimately, Djokovic claimed the advantage and sealed the victory when Sinner's return sailed out of bounds, securing his place in the final.
This epic semi-final not only highlighted Djokovic's enduring class and determination but also set up a tantalising final against Carlos Alcaraz, who earlier won the longest-ever semi-final at the Australian Open in five hours and 27 minutes against Alexander Zverev. Tennis fans worldwide now eagerly await what promises to be a historic showdown between two of the sport's finest competitors.
