Novak Djokovic faces another Australian Open showdown with defending champion Jannik Sinner for a place in the final, with Carlos Alcaraz awaiting the winner after the world No 1’s epic semi-final against Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic’s bid for a record 25th grand slam title looked to be over as he trailed Lorenzo Musetti by two sets in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, but the 38-year-old was “extremely lucky” to progress as the Italian retired with a right leg injury.
Having lost to Sinner in each of their last five meetings, including in three grand slam semi-finals, Djokovic will need to improve and brings his “A-game” if he is to end the second seed’s 19-match winning run at Melbourne Park.
Earlier, Alcaraz downed third seed Zverev in a thriller to book a place in his first Australian Open final. The Spaniard led by two sets to love before being derailed by a sudden onset of cramp, with Zverev roaring back to win the next two sets on tie-breaks to force a decider – but Alcaraz dragged himself back from the brink to keep his hopes of becoming the youngest man to complete the career grand slam alive.
Yesterday, top seed Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina set up a rematch of their 2023 final.
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Djokovic and Sinner make their way out
Here we go again!
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner enter the stage – the third Grand Slam semi-final they’ve played in in eight months!
Djokovic has not won a set in the past two – what about today?
Sinner on Djokovic
“The level he’s still playing, he is I think the most professional athlete we have here in the locker room.
“I also try to be as professional as possible. He has a huge package of experience with himself. You see him on the court. He knows how to handle every situation the best possible way.
“Me, as a 24-year-old, I’m lucky to have someone like him in front of my eyes, and I can hopefully learn something. I feel like every day, every time he plays, I can learn something about him, about Carlos, about all the other great, great players.
“I take this as a positive. I think the way he’s playing, the way he’s moving, if you are not professional, you don’t play at this level. He’s an inspiration for all of us and especially the young players.”
Djokovic on Sinner
“I lost to him I think four or five in a row, so he’s just playing on such a high level right now, along with Carlos. They’re the two best players in the world.
“I mean, [he is the] absolute favourite, but you never know. Hopefully I can deliver my A-game for that matchup, because that’s what’s going to be needed at least to have a chance. I wasn’t playing close to my best today, so I’m going to have to change that around.
“Are they [Sinner and Alcaraz] better right now than me and all the other guys? Yes, they are. I mean, the quality and the level is amazing. It’s great. It’s phenomenal.
“But does that mean that I walk out with a white flag? No. I’m going to fight until the last shot, until the last point, and do my very best to challenge them.”
Carlos Alcaraz reveals how he kept five-set streak alive in Australian Open epic
Carlos Alcaraz proved why he is the five-set king of tennis as the world No 1 won a record Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev to keep his career grand slam bid alive in five hours and 27 minutes.
”Believing, all the time,” Alcaraz said after advancing to Sunday’s final, where he will face either Sinner or Novak Djokovic. “I always say that you have to believe in yourself no matter what. No matter what you’re struggling with , what you’ve been through, no matter anything. You still believe in yourself all the time.”
What happened in the quarter-finals?
The Italian fifth seed, 23, raced into a 6-4 6-3 lead, playing brilliant tennis, but began to struggle after noticing pain in his leg at the beginning of the second set. The issue became worse at the start of the third, leaving Musetti unable to run, and he retired while 3-1 down.
“I don’t know what to say except I feel really sorry for him and he was a far better player,” Djokovic said. “I was on my way home tonight. Being in quarters of a grand slam, two sets to love up and being in full control, so unfortunate. He should have been a winner today, there’s no doubt.”
Jannik Sinner returned to the Australian Open semi-finals with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Ben Shelton, his ninth consecutive win over the American. “Today I felt like I was moving again a little bit better. I feel stronger physically again,” Sinner said.
Start of second semi-final delayed
It looks like we could be here for a while. There are huge queues to get into Rod Laver Arena. It’s just ticked past 9pm local time.
Why Novak Djokovic’s lucky Australian Open run now faces a major problem
It certainly feels like there is someone, somewhere watching over Djokovic and guiding the 38-year-old towards what would be a historic, record 25th grand slam title at the Australian Open.
Djokovic will also arrive at the business end of the tournament after playing just 11 full sets in Melbourne, his time on court reduced first by three efficient straight-sets wins, then a walkover, and now a retirement when a five-set comeback was required. At 38, he will have plenty left in the tank, which is exactly what Djokovic needed after admitting he “ran out of gas” in defeats to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in grand slams semi-finals last year.
Ready for one more?
And…. breathe. There’s a break now for the day session ticket holders to leave and the night session holders to get settled ahead of the second semi-final: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner.
Have we got another thriller on the cards? I’m not sure anyone can handle another match like what we’ve just seen.
Can Alcaraz recover in time for Australian Open final?
Recovery, recovery.
That is the big question ahead of Sunday, where Alcaraz will play Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic.
Should Sinner, say, roll through Djokovic in straight-sets, the Italian will have such an advantage.
Alcaraz is looking pretty heavy on his feet as he walks underneath the Rod Laver Arena.
Understandably so after playing for five hours and 27 minutes.
He will keep believing, though.
Carlos Alcaraz looks ahead to his first Australian Open final
Jim Courier points out that Carlos Alcaraz will be playing for the career grand slam on Sunday. Not just that, but the chance to become the youngest man of all time to win all four majors.
“Thank you for putting so much pressure on me right now,” Alcaraz laughs. “Kidding, kidding!
“I’m just really, really happy to have the chance to play my first final here in Melbourne.
”It’s something that I was pursuing a lot, chasing a lot, having the chance to fight for the title.
“Hopefully on Sunday it’s gonna be a great atmosphere. I can’t wait. Right now my head is about recovering as much as I can, just to try to be in a good shape, to put a show for you guys.
“See you on Sunday!”
