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Djokovic and Alcaraz advance to Australian Open final
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will face off in the Australian Open men's singles final after both players overcame grueling five-set semi-finals in Melbourne. The match, scheduled for Sunday, marks a historic showdown between the sport's most decorated active player and its rising star.
Djokovic edges past Sinner in late-night epic
The 38-year-old Serbian, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, rallied from a set down to defeat Jannik Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a match that concluded at 01:30 local time. Djokovic, a 10-time champion in Melbourne, described the victory as one of the greatest performances of his 20-year career.
Trailing 0-40 in the fifth set, Djokovic saved eight break points before breaking Sinner's serve to take a 4-3 lead. He sealed the win on his third match point, becoming the oldest man in the professional era to reach the Australian Open final. The victory also snapped a five-match losing streak against Sinner, who had dominated their recent encounters.
"I'm lost for words, to be honest. It feels surreal, playing over four hours, it's almost 2 a.m. I am reminiscing about 2012 when I played Rafa [Nadal] in the final."
Novak Djokovic
Alcaraz stages dramatic comeback against Zverev
Carlos Alcaraz, 22, survived a marathon five-hour, 27-minute battle against Alexander Zverev, winning 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (4-7), 7-5 to reach his first Australian Open final. The Spaniard, bidding to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam, overcame cramping and a late deficit to secure the victory.
Alcaraz appeared to be cruising after taking the first two sets but suddenly struggled with movement in the third, requiring a medical timeout. Zverev capitalized, forcing a fifth set, where he served for the match at 5-4. However, Alcaraz broke back and ultimately prevailed, finishing with 78 winners to Zverev's 56.
"I always say that you have to believe in yourself no matter what. 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."
Carlos Alcaraz
Historic final awaits
The Djokovic-Alcaraz final will be the first Grand Slam championship match between the two since Wimbledon in 2024. Djokovic, who last won a major at the 2023 US Open, is seeking his first Australian Open title since 2023. Alcaraz, meanwhile, aims to add to his two Grand Slam trophies and further cement his status as the sport's future.
The women's final will take place on Saturday, featuring world number one Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
Key moments from the semi-finals
- Djokovic saved eight break points in the fifth set against Sinner, demonstrating his trademark resilience.
- Alcaraz overcame cramping and a late deficit to break Zverev's serve twice in the fifth set.
- Both matches lasted over four hours, with Alcaraz's victory extending past five hours.
