Novak Djokovic stops Jannik Sinner, to play for 25th slam

Novak Djokovic capped a thrilling night -- and early morning -- of marathon men's semifinals in Melbourne with a five-set victory against two-time defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner.

In an epic semifinal that ended after 1:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, Djokovic outlasted the second-seeded Italian 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in four hours and nine minutes.

The fourth-seeded Serbian -- a 10-time Australian Open champion -- will fight for his record-extending 25th Grand Slam title on Sunday against No. 1 seed Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard, looking to complete a career Grand Slam at the age of 22, earlier survived a grueling 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 7-5 win against No. 3 Alexander Zverev of Germany in a five-hour, 27-minute classic.

"I think you guys got the value for the ticket," Djokovic told the crowd after a long day of action-packed tennis.

The 38-year-old Djokovic became the oldest man in the Open Era to reach the final at the Australian Open, and handed the 24-year-old Sinner his first loss in Melbourne since 2023. Djokovic also ended his own streak of four consecutive semifinal exits at majors.

Djokovic saved 16 of 18 break points against Sinner, who hammered 26 aces and 72 winners. Djokovic finished with a dozen aces and 46 winners and they both made 42 unforced errors.

"I am lost for words right now, to be honest. It feels surreal," Djokovic said after making his first Grand Slam final since Wimbledon in 2024. His last major trophy came at the U.S. Open in 2023.

During the decisive fifth set, Djokovic moved ahead with a service break in the seventh game and ultimately put Sinner away on his third match point.

"The level of intensity and the quality of tennis was extremely high and I knew that was the only way for me to win tonight against him," Djokovic said. "He won the past five matches against me. He had my mobile number, so I had to change my number for tonight.

"Jokes aside, I told him at the net, thanks for letting me have at least one (win). I have tremendous respect for him, an incredible player. He pushes you to the very limit, which is what he did tonight to me, so he deserves a great round of applause. ... Tonight has been one of the best nights, if not the best night, atmosphere and support-wise, I have had in Australia."

Djokovic holds a 5-4 lead in his head-to-head series with Alcaraz, including a quarterfinal win in Melbourne last year.

"It already feels like winning tonight, but I know I will have to come back in a couple of days and fight the number 1 in the world," Djokovic said when asked about the final. "I hope I have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with him, that is my desire."

--Field Level Media