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Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates aft defeating Jannik Sinner of Italy successful their semifinal lucifer astatine the Australian Open tennis title successful Melbourne, Australia, aboriginal Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo)
Novak Djokovic reached his 11th Australian Open last aft defeating two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner successful a five-set lucifer that finished good past midnight successful Melbourne.After 4 hours and 9 minutes connected Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic dropped to his knees.
He past walked to his seat and sat with his caput successful his hands. The timepiece showed fractional past 1 successful the morning.
In the deciding set, helium saved 8 interruption points.The scoreline read: Sinner 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 4-6 Djokovic.It was the archetypal clip Djokovic had beaten Sinner since 2023, aft losing their erstwhile 5 meetings. Speaking connected tribunal to Jim Courier, Djokovic struggled to clasp backmost tears. His manager was besides emotional.
Djokovic said helium was "lost for words," called the lucifer "surreal," and joked that helium thanked Sinner for yet letting him win.
This is Djokovic’s archetypal Grand Slam last since Wimbledon 2024. If helium wins connected Sunday, it volition beryllium his archetypal large rubric since the 2023 US Open. It volition besides beryllium 18 years since helium won his archetypal Grand Slam title, which came successful Melbourne.At 38, Djokovic is present 1 triumph distant from a record-extending 11th Australian Open title.
A triumph would besides springiness him his 25th Grand Slam singles title, moving him up of Margaret Court for the astir large singles titles successful tennis history.Waiting for him successful the last is satellite No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. The lucifer volition beryllium a rematch of the 2024 Wimbledon last and the Paris Olympics gold-medal match. Alcaraz reached the last earlier connected Friday aft a agelong five-set triumph implicit 3rd effect Alexander Zverev, 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5, successful a lucifer that lasted astir 5 and a fractional hours.Djokovic’s pursuit for past continues connected Sunday, backmost connected the tribunal wherever his Grand Slam travel began.
