Australian Open, Men's Singles semi-final highlights: Djokovic does the unthinkable, beats Jannik Sinner

Well, that's a wrap from our end and it's been an absolute pleasure to cover today's set of fixtures. Come back tomorrow though as we have the Women's Singles final coming up. You won't want to miss this. 

Thank you and goodnight

Difficult, not impossible as Djokovic delivers Melbourne classic

Oftentimes, Novak Djokovic has drawn the short end against the present-day elite. Against Jannik Sinner, that trend had been hard to ignore — until now.

In a semifinal that stretched deep into the Melbourne night, Djokovic turned belief into reality, overcoming his Sinner hoodoo in a five-set epic that will live long in Australian Open history.

Written off by some and chasing players more than a decade younger, the Serb leaned on experience, nerve and sheer will. The reaction said everything — collapsing to the court in disbelief after more than four hours of battle.

Sinner pushed him to the limit. The crowd lifted him. And once again, Djokovic proved that difficult was never the same as impossible.

Read more about what he said here

The reaction says it all.

Watching Novak Djokovic grind through another Melbourne epic struck a chord with fans, especially those who’ve heard the talk about age and decline over the past year.

That feeling — defiance, resilience, belief — summed up the night perfectly.

Others leaned straight into the nostalgia.

Hyperbole or not, it underlines the same point. Even now, against elite opponents like Jannik Sinner and with Carlos Alcaraz waiting in the final, Djokovic continues to force the tennis world to rethink its assumptions.

Written off. Questioned. Still standing.

And nights like this are exactly why.

“Honestly, tonight already feels like a win. But I know I have to come back in less than two days and face the number one player in the world.
My only wish is to have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with him. Then, let God decide the winner.”

Next stop: the Australian Open final against Carlos Alcaraz.

Yes, I watched it. What an incredible match. Huge credit to both of them for the quality and intensity they brought. I think the fans definitely got their money’s worth today — maybe I should get 10% of the ticket sales tonight. Craig, no negotiations.
Carlos actually apologized for delaying the start of my match, and I told him, ‘I’m an old man, I need to go to sleep earlier.’ I’m looking forward to seeing him in a few days.”

Djokovic, still sharp — on court and on the mic.

“I wasn’t wrong — I said it would be very difficult, not impossible.

They are playing on a different level, so I had to find that level myself. And tonight, I managed to do that.”

At 37, Djokovic still finds a way to raise his ceiling.

“It was unbelievable. Some legends stayed up until 2 a.m. — Margaret Court, thank you so much for being here.
To everyone in the stands, you were incredible tonight. I love our passionate relationship. Every year it’s something different, but tonight was one of — if not the — best atmospheres I’ve ever experienced in Australia. Support-wise, it was special.”

A rare night where the love was loud — and mutual.

“He won the last five matches against me, so he basically had my mobile number — I had to change it for tonight.
But jokes aside, I told him at the net, ‘Thank you for allowing me at least one win in the last couple of years.’ I have tremendous respect for him. He’s an incredible player and he pushes you to the absolute limit — which is exactly what he did tonight.”

Five straight losses. One massive response.

“I’m honestly lost for words. It feels surreal. We played for more than four hours, almost until 2 a.m., and it brought back memories of 2012 when I played Rafa in the final for nearly six hours. The intensity tonight, the quality of tennis, was extremely high. I knew that was the only way I’d have a chance to win against him.”

Another Melbourne marathon, another reminder of what this court has meant to Novak Djokovic.

Historic win sets up blockbuster final

After an epic five-set battle, Novak Djokovic has defeated defending champion Jannik Sinner in an absolute classic at the Australian Open semi-final. Djokovic’s gritty comeback keeps his dream of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title alive and sends him through to the final.

For a full breakdown of all the drama, momentum swings, and key moments from this marathon clash, check out our match report here:

Australian Open semi-final match report: Ageless Djokovic does the unthinkable, outlasts Sinner to keep No. 25 dream alive

Another number. Another Djokovic moment.

With this win, Novak Djokovic becomes the player with the most top-10 wins at a single Grand Slam since ATP rankings began in 1973 — 20 at the Australian Open. That pulls him level with Rafael Nadal’s mark at French Open.

After four-plus hours, a fifth set, and a body pushed to the edge, this somehow feels fitting.

Questioned. Tested. Written off by some.

Still standing. Still delivering. Still setting records.

Extraterrestrial stuff.

Five times, Jannik Sinner had gotten the better of Novak Djokovic.

People questioned it. Asked if he still had it. Wondered if time had finally caught up.

And yet — here he is.

Standing tall. Gritty as ever. Emptying the tank one last time and reminding everyone why he’s still in this conversation. Why, in moments like these, he defines greatness.

The emotions spill out. The chants for the Serb go wild around the stadium. Djokovic soaks it all in because he knows exactly what this means — not just a win, but a statement.

Count him out at your own risk.

Jannik Sinner shows nerves of steel of his own. It’s almost diabolical how he keeps hanging on, dragging the 10th game of the fifth set all the way to deuce. Novak Djokovic throws everything at him, but Sinner refuses to go away.

Then comes the slip.

At the moment composure matters most, Sinner fumbles and hands Djokovic the advantage.

Pin-drop silence. Djokovic steps up to serve for the match, goes for it — and clips the net. One more chance. This time he slows it right down, plays it safe, and waits. Sinner blinks, misfires, and that’s it.

Djokovic gets the win.

Four-plus hours. No margin for error. Absolute fifth-set madness.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 4, 4

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 6, 6

Jannik Sinner is not fazed by the wall of Australian support behind Novak Djokovic.

He keeps digging in, holds his nerve, and edges closer to levelling things up. The match has now crossed the four-hour mark, and there’s still barely anything separating the two.

Same court. Same fight. Pure fifth-set drama.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 4, 4

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 6, 5

Just when it feels like Novak Djokovic is about to run away with it, Jannik Sinner digs in and refuses to go quietly.

Sinner pushes Djokovic right to the edge, carving out a break chance and dragging the game into deuce. Suddenly, the pressure flips. Djokovic is back where he’s been all night — needing to save a break with everything on the line.

And somehow, some way, he does. Not just once, but and then some.

Big serves. Smart choices. Ice-cold nerves.

The crowd realises what’s happening and completely loses it. Djokovic holds, and now he’s just one game away from a historic final. The drama here is off the charts.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 4, 3

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 6, 5

Absolute class from Novak Djokovic.

With everything on the line, he shows nerves of steel to carve out a break point, putting himself one step closer to turning this match around. The pressure is starting to tell now, and even if Jannik Sinner isn’t showing much on his face, the tension is clearly there.

That long forehand from Sinner sums it up — a rare miss at the worst possible moment, and Djokovic is suddenly right on the doorstep.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 4, 3

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 6, 4

There’s still nothing separating these two.

Novak Djokovic, under pressure once again, turns to the serve and fires down two back-to-back aces to breeze through his service game. No fuss, no drama — just pure execution.

Game secured, point made. This fifth set remains on a knife edge.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 4, 3

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 6, 3

The ace barrage continues from Jannik Sinner.

He blasts through his service game, barely giving Novak Djokovic a look in, and races past the fifth game to regain the lead in the decider.

Quick, ruthless, and efficient — Sinner keeping the pressure right where he wants it.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 4, 3

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 6, 2

This game had nerves written all over it.

After both men held serve, Jannik Sinner suddenly turns up the heat on Novak Djokovic’s serve, ripping off two points in a row. The slower balls momentarily catch Djokovic out, but Sinner’s timing slips just enough to let the Serb back into it.

Then comes the wobble. Djokovic goes big on a second serve, double-faults, and hands Sinner a look at another game point. A let follows, then another fault — three shaky moments in a row — before Djokovic steadies himself and drags it back to deuce. There’s even a wry smile, like he knows he’s walking a tightrope but still trusts his feel.

Momentum swings again. Djokovic mistimes one and gives Sinner the edge, only for the Italian to lose composure on a slow serve, going for too much and coughing up the advantage. No freebies now — Sinner finally finds his range, Djokovic briefly loses his rhythm, and every single point becomes a scrap.

In the end, composure wins out. Djokovic digs in, plays the smarter points, and escapes the game to level the fifth set at 2–2.

Absolutely nothing separates them.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 4, 2

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 6, 2

Another tight phase here, with Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner going blow for blow in the fifth.

This isn’t about pulling out everything just yet. It’s more chess than fireworks — both are probing, testing patterns, and trying to spot the smallest chinks in each other’s armour during the rallies.

So far, neither has blinked. One game apiece in the decider, and the feeling is that this set is going to be decided by who reads the moment better, not who hits harder.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 4, 1

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 6, 1

A little bit of history to add to the drama.

According to Opta, both Grand Slam semi-finals have gone the distance — the first time that’s happened since Wimbledon Championships 2018. It’s also only the second time in the Open Era that both semis have needed five sets.

The last time? The 2017 Australian Open, featured epic battles involving Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Stanislas Wawrinka and Grigor Dimitrov.

Now, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are adding their own chapter to that list.

Big stage. Big legs. Big nerves. 

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 4, 1

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 6, 0

There’s a bit of history here.

The last time Novak Djokovic dragged Jannik Sinner into a fifth set was at Wimbledon Championships in 2022, during their quarterfinal, clash.

That night, Djokovic found a way — and went on to win.

If this match is heading down the same road, Sinner will know exactly what kind of mountain he’s up against.

Novak Djokovic leans on the serve here and edges to within one point of the set. Jannik Sinner adjusts his positioning and reads it better, showing he’s learned from earlier.

But once the rally stretches out, it’s Djokovic territory.

He takes control of the long exchange, works the point smartly, and flips the pressure right back to his side to earn set point. Sinner’s reaction says it all — clear frustration, knowing that return was a missed chance and a big one at that.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 4

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 6

The machine that is Jannik Sinner stands strong once again.

Novak Djokovic goes after the flat hitters to try and force the issue, stealing a few points, but it’s not enough to break through. Sinner absorbs the pressure, stays rock solid, and holds to keep himself alive in the set.

No drama, no panic — just relentless consistency. And with the margins this tight, that might be all Sinner needs right now.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 4

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 5

Novak Djokovic is fighting hard, but Jannik Sinner cashes in on a few poor calls from the Serb, bullying his way through points with raw power to grab the advantage. It’s so good that Djokovic even gives him a quick clap.

Then the chaos really starts.

After a shaky first serve, Djokovic rolls in a 155 kph delivery. Sinner is way too far back, tries a cheeky drop shot, and Djokovic reads it perfectly — smash, winner, back to deuce.

Sinner follows that up with a poor return, the ball dying right on his side of the court. The “Novak, Novak” chants explode, clearly getting into the mix. Djokovic pauses, chats briefly with the umpire, resets — classic mind games.

Moments later, he finds his focus again and claws his way to game point.

Pure tension. Pure Djokovic.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 3

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 5

Jannik Sinner refuses to roll over.

He digs in and takes the game to stay alive in the set, cutting the gap down to just one game. The fight is very much still there, and the urgency is starting to show.

But now it’s simple. If the Italian wants to stay in this match, a break is desperately needed. As long as Novak Djokovic keeps holding, the clock — and the set — are working against him.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 4

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 4

Novak Djokovic is anything but subdued right now.

The two grind through a long, brutal rally before Jannik Sinner overhits, giving Djokovic just enough time to whip the ball into the left corner to perfection. The roar that follows says it all — Djokovic is fully amped.

He doesn’t stop there. Two clean aces come right after, and just like that, Djokovic locks down his fourth game of the set. Momentum firmly with the Serb, and the belief is suddenly very real again.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 2

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 4

Jannik Sinner is not backing down here by any means.

He keeps the fight alive in the fourth set, holding firm to take his second game and stay in touch. The intent is clear — no panic, no rush, just staying solid and waiting for an opening.

That said, if Sinner wants to truly swing this back his way, a break is what he needs. As long as Novak Djokovic keeps holding, the pressure stays firmly on the Italian to find a way through.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 2

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 3

The “Novak, Novak” chants are ringing out around Melbourne, and Novak Djokovic is clearly feeding off it.

The Serb rides that wave of support to hold serve against Jannik Sinner, steadying himself at a crucial moment in the fourth set. The energy from the crowd lifts the intensity, and for now at least, Djokovic is still standing tall.

If this is going to a fifth set, this kind of backing — and these kinds of holds — could make all the difference.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 1

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 3   

Jannik Sinner finally looks like he’s recalibrated, shaking off that brief dip and finding his range again. The timing couldn’t be better, because the match is starting to tilt on fine margins.

For Novak Djokovic, though, the signs aren’t great. He’s seen wincing between serves, a clear indication that his body is being pushed right to the limit. The intent is still there, but the strain is becoming harder to hide.

With Sinner back in the groove and Djokovic fighting through discomfort, this next phase could decide whether the comeback has real legs — or whether the toll of the match finally catches up with him.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 1

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 2 

The momentum train is well and truly rolling for Novak Djokovic as he backs up the break with a second straight game in the fourth set.

For the first time in a while, Jannik Sinner looks slightly out of sorts, struggling to find his rhythm and reset after losing serve. Djokovic senses it and is doing exactly what champions do — stepping on the gas while the door is open.

This is a big stretch in the match. If Djokovic can keep applying this pressure, a fifth set is suddenly very much on the table.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 0

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 2 

That’s a strong start from Novak Djokovic in the fourth set, breaking Jannik Sinner straight away.

After looking up against it physically, Djokovic suddenly looks sharper and more switched on, regrouping at exactly the right moment. The intent is back, the energy is up, and he takes the opening game to send an early message.

The big question now is whether he can keep this level going. One break is a great start, but sustaining it is the real test. If Djokovic can hold and build from here, this match might not be done just yet.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6, 0

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4, 1 

This is not a fun watch if you’re a Novak Djokovic fan.

The fight is still there, no doubt about that, but his body just doesn’t seem willing to follow along right now. The legs look heavy, the recovery between points is slower, and everything feels like hard work.

Jannik Sinner, on the other hand, looks comfortable — or at least very good at pretending he is. Calm, composed, and doing enough at the right moments.

For Djokovic to somehow flip this and drag the match into a fifth set would take something special. Not impossible — this is Djokovic — but from here, it would need a bit of magic.

This is where Jannik Sinner truly comes in clutch. With the set on the line and no breaks of serve anywhere on the board, he finds another gear at exactly the right moment.

At the second set point, Sinner noticeably lifts the intensity, striking the ball cleaner and stepping into his shots with greater conviction. The margins tighten instantly, and the pressure shifts.

For Novak Djokovic, that pressure forces risk. He starts going after the extreme ends of the court, searching for lines and angles to disrupt the momentum. The intent is there, but the execution can’t quite tip the balance back his way.

Sinner stays composed, absorbs the aggression, and chooses his moments to counter. In a set defined by endurance and nerve, it’s the Italian who blinks last — closing it out to take the third set and finally separate the two after a long stretch of deadlock.

Sinner: 6, 3, 6

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4 

The pattern refuses to break. Neither man has been able to crack serve, and the sense of stalemate only deepens as the set wears on. This has become less about flair and more about endurance.

Both players are clearly operating close to their physical limits now. Novak Djokovic is no longer disguising the strain, using pauses between points to stretch and reset, trying to keep his body responsive as the rallies take their toll.

On the other side of the net, Jannik Sinner appears to have a slight edge — or perhaps it’s just his famously unreadable poker face. There’s little outward sign of discomfort, even as the intensity remains relentless.

Sinner holds firm once again, taking his fifth game of the set and maintaining the pressure. With serves still unbroken and bodies clearly being tested, this feels like a set that could hinge on a single lapse — physical or mental — from either man.

Sinner: 6, 3, 5

Djokovic: 3, 6, 4 

The third set has settled into a pure battle of attrition, with neither player able to carve out a break of serve so far. Long games, heavy rallies, and a sense that every point is being earned the hard way define this stretch of the match.

Novak Djokovic appears more selective with his movement now, clearly not looking to chase down every ball as relentlessly as earlier. Instead, he’s picking his moments, conserving energy where he can. That measured approach allows Jannik Sinner to edge back in front on the scoreboard as the set progresses.

During the changeover, Djokovic is briefly seen taking what looks like medication, a quiet moment that goes largely unnoticed amid the tension. Whatever the reason, it’s another reminder that this contest is being played not just with rackets, but with resolve and resilience.

For now, the deadlock remains. No breaks, no clear momentum swing — just two elite players testing each other’s limits, point by point, game by game, as the third set grinds on.

Sinner: 6, 3, 4

Djokovic: 3, 6, 3 

There are moments in this match when Novak Djokovic looks right on the physical edge. The intensity on his serve has dipped noticeably, the pace no longer coming as freely as it usually does. At times, he even appears to be holding himself together through visible discomfort, battling what looks like a bout of reflux between points.

And yet, this is where Djokovic’s greatness shows.

Despite the reduced power, Jannik Sinner hasn’t quite been able to make the most of it. Sinner is struggling to read the serve cleanly, often positioned a touch too far back to attack the slower deliveries. That extra step of distance is costing him, turning what should be opportunities into defensive returns.

Djokovic, ever the master tactician, seems fully aware of the dynamic. He knows when to conserve energy and when to strike. He absorbs, steadies himself, and waits for the right moment.

Then, with the game point on the line, the switch flips.

Djokovic reaches back for one big effort, unleashing a 202 kph serve out of nowhere. It’s enough. The point is his, the game levelled, and the momentum subtly shifts once again.

This is precisely why Djokovic sits among the all-time greats. Even when his body is close to betraying him, his mind remains razor sharp — choosing exactly when to lift, and exactly when to let the game

Sinner: 6, 3, 3

Djokovic: 3, 6, 3 

Jannik Sinner fends off a break point to move 3-2 up in the third set, showing composure under pressure. Novak Djokovic is turning up the heat, attacking from the baseline and testing Sinner with relentless aggression.

The World No.2 doesn’t have much room for error now — every shot counts, and any slip could give Djokovic the opening he’s been hunting. The intensity is building with each rally, and this set is rapidly becoming a high-stakes battle of nerves.

Interesting tip from the sideline — pickle juice instead of water for cramp prevention! And it seems to be working for Jannik Sinner, keeping him moving and sharp despite the long rallies.

The World No.2 is showing just how well-prepared he is, handling the physical demands of this marathon semi-final while staying composed and aggressive on court.

Jannik Sinner edges ahead 2-1 in the third set, but Novak Djokovic is starting to make his presence felt. At 30-30, Djokovic nearly earned a break point, testing Sinner’s resolve, yet the Italian held firm and refused to yield.

Still, it’s clear that Djokovic is beginning to push Sinner on every point, dragging him into longer rallies and forcing the World No.2 to work harder than before. 

Jannik Sinner is starting to look a little off-colour here as Novak Djokovic steadily raises his level. The Italian’s first double fault of the match hasn’t helped, and it adds to the pressure building on his serve.

If Djokovic can convert this momentum into a break, Sinner could find himself in serious trouble. 

Jannik Sinner has kicked off the third set in style, holding serve comfortably and sending a clear message that he’s not going to roll over. The World No.2 looks sharp, composed, and ready to reclaim control.

For Novak Djokovic, the challenge is immediate. He needs to regroup quickly, find his rhythm, and respond with aggression if he’s to mount a comeback.

Novak Djokovic stepped off the court briefly after clinching the second set, taking a well-deserved moment to reset and recover. The break is over, though, and he’s back on Rod Laver Arena, focused and ready for the next battle.

After seven minutes, it’s time for the third set, and both players know the stakes have only grown higher.

Unbelievable! Novak Djokovic has taken the second set 6-3 against Jannik Sinner. The significance is huge — the last time Djokovic won a set against Sinner was in the 2024 Australian Open semi-final. 

Since then, Sinner had racked up 10 consecutive set wins over Djokovic, a streak that seemed untouchable. But all streaks come to an end, and tonight, Djokovic showed why he’s one of the greats.

Djokovic struggled with his first serves in the first set, but he improved his win percentage to 86 in the second to come up trumps.  

Jannik Sinner shows real urgency, holding Novak Djokovic to love and keeping himself alive in the set. The Italian wastes no time, sharp and purposeful, knowing the moment demands it.

But now it’s over to Djokovic. New balls are out, the stage is set, and the pressure is squarely on the Serbian’s shoulders as he steps up to serve for the set with a 5-3 lead. 

Novak Djokovic is marching with purpose in the second set, stretching his lead to 5-2 and putting Jannik Sinner under serious pressure.

There was a brief scare as Sinner carved out a break point, but Djokovic slammed the door shut with authority, showing the composure that defines champions.

With that escape, Djokovic is now one game away from taking the set, and the Rod Laver Arena can feel the shift. 

That break meant more than just a lead on the scoreboard. With his first break of the match, Novak Djokovic snapped Jannik Sinner’s astonishing streak of 38 consecutive service holds, a run that underlined just how untouchable the Italian had been.

It was a rare crack in Sinner’s armour — and Djokovic pounced.

Sinner has responded by holding serve to steady himself, but Djokovic still leads 4-2 in the second set, firmly in control for now. 

Novak Djokovic has drawn first blood in the second set, breaking Jannik Sinner to surge into a 3-1 lead.

It’s a rare moment of authority from the Serb, made even more striking by the numbers — Djokovic has now broken Sinner’s serve just three times in 60 attempts, a stark reminder of how dominant Sinner has been on serve over the years.

But if anyone knows how to seize a narrow opening and turn the tide, it’s Djokovic, and this break could be the spark he desperately needed to shift the momentum.

Novak Djokovic has drawn first blood in the second set, breaking Jannik Sinner to surge into a 3-1 lead.

It’s a rare moment of authority from the Serb, made even more striking by the numbers — Djokovic has now broken Sinner’s serve just three times in 60 attempts, a stark reminder of how dominant Sinner has been on serve over the years.

But if anyone knows how to seize a narrow opening and turn the tide, it’s Djokovic, and this break could be the spark he desperately needed to shift the momentum.

That’s a staggering stat and it tells its own story. Jannik Sinner has now beaten Novak Djokovic in 10 consecutive sets, underlining just how emphatically he has dominated this rivalry in recent times.

Against a player who has made a career out of bending opponents to his will, Sinner has flipped the script — controlling rallies, serving with authority, and refusing to give Djokovic any breathing room.

Oh, that was pure Novak Djokovic magic. An outrageous point built on range, disguise, and a feathered drop shot that left Jannik Sinner scrambling — and the Rod Laver Arena buzzing. That’s vintage Djokovic, the chessboard opening up in his mind as he pulls every string.

If Djokovic is to turn this match around, this is the template. He needs more of these points — variation, patience, and sudden changes of pace — to wrest control from Sinner and start dictating terms in the second set.

Jannik Sinner strikes first at Rod Laver Arena, sealing the opening set 6-3 in 38 minutes with an emphatic statement. The Italian was ruthless, closing it out by holding Novak Djokovic to love, underlining just how firmly he had his grip on the contest.

Sinner was in full flow throughout the set, hammering 15 winners and firing down six aces, his serve doing serious damage. Djokovic did show signs of life late in the set, tightening up his first-serve percentage in his final service game, but by then the gap had already been created.

Is Novak Djokovic finally finding his rhythm? That was a commanding service game from the Serbian, holding Jannik Sinner to love and drawing a roar of approval from Rod Laver Arena. For the first time tonight, Djokovic looked settled, assertive, and in control.

But the equation is simple and brutal — Djokovic needs a break right now to stay alive in this opening set. Sinner still holds the advantage, and there’s no margin for error.

Jannik Sinner is turning the screw on Rod Laver Arena. The Italian has raced to a 5-2 lead and is now one game away from sealing the opening set. The first serve has been the clear separator — Sinner is landing them with authority and making Djokovic pay.

Already 12 winners off the racket, Sinner has kept relentless pressure on the 10-time champion, forcing Djokovic to defend from deep and scramble for answers. Right now, the momentum is firmly with the Italian as the set edges toward its conclusion.

Jannik Sinner is in complete command on Rod Laver Arena. The Italian has surged to a 4-1 lead in the opening set, winning a staggering 82 per cent of points on his first serve. Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, is lagging behind at 67 per cent, and the difference is telling.

Sinner’s serve is laced with venom — four aces already — and Djokovic is finding himself under constant pressure. Right now, the Italian is dictating the tempo, while the 10-time champion is still searching for his rhythm.

Novak Djokovic is finally on the board against Jannik Sinner — but not without a scare. Staring down a break point at 30-40, the Serb was forced to dig deep early. Under pressure, he steadied himself, found his range just in time, and clawed his way out of danger to hold serve.

The fans, in the meantime, have clearly sensed that Novak Djokovic looks undercooked in the early exchanges, and the scoreboard reflects it — 0–3 down in the opening set. It’s a startling sight on Rod Laver Arena, with unforced errors creeping in and Jannik Sinner striking with authority.

But this is Novak Djokovic we’re talking about. Counting him out at this stage would be reckless.

Early signs here are worrying for Novak Djokovic. He has looked unusually off-colour in the opening two games, already surrendering his serve as Jannik Sinner pounces on the slightest opening. The Serb has sprayed five forehand errors in no time, a rare sight on Rod Laver Arena, and his timing seems just a fraction out.

Sinner, sensing vulnerability, has started sharply and is dictating play, stepping inside the baseline and forcing Djokovic into uncomfortable positions. Djokovic is under immediate pressure.

Gorgeous start from Jannik Sinner.

Lovely service, good height on the serve and he wins the first game of the match.

Sinner forces Djokovic wide with his serves and then hands him an ace.

Superb start.

Class act from the record-time Australian Open champion.

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner stride out onto Rod Laver Arena to a wall of noise, the crowd fully aware that they are about to witness something special. The first semi-final delivered an unforgettable thriller, and with that still fresh in the memory, expectations for this clash are sky-high. The lights are on, the tension is thick, and Melbourne is buzzing with anticipation.

It’s 9:15 PM local time, but no one here is thinking about the clock. With two of the best in the world on court, this one has all the ingredients to stretch deep into the night, maybe even past midnight. Djokovic, the master of Melbourne with ten Australian Open titles, carries his familiar aura of dominance, while Sinner walks in with quiet confidence, knowing he has challenged — and beaten — the Serbian earlier.

There is no two ways about it that Novak Djokovic was very lucky to win against Musetti in the quarter-final.

Djokovic was down and out but an unfortunate injury forced him to give a walkover.

After the QFs, Djokovic was asked in the press conference if he was chasing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who were at the top of their careers.

This question pissed off Djokovic, who had a fiery reply to give to the journalist.

Djokovic is expected to bring the same fire today.;

Following the action on Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park will host the second men’s singles semi-final, with fourth seed Novak Djokovic taking on second seed Jannik Sinner for a place in Sunday’s final against Carlos Alcaraz.

Carlos Alcaraz spoke to Jim Courier post match

On the match:

"Believing. Believing all the time," Alcaraz said.

"I always said that you have to believe in yourself no matter the struggles you go through. You have to believe in yourself. I was struggling in the middle of the third set. Physically it was one of the most demanding matches I've played in my short career.

"But I've been in these kinds of situations, these kinds of matches before. I had to put my heart into the match. I fought until the last ball."

On chasing taking the career Grand Slam on Sunday:

"Thank you for putting so much pressure on me right now. I'm kidding. I'm really happy to play my first final in Melbourne. It's something I was pursuing a lot," Alcaraz said.

"It's been a great two weeks so far. My level is improving a lot. I couldn't stay here right now, doing this interview [as the winner] without you guys. It was a real pleasure playing in front of all of you. The way you pushed me through every time, every ball was amazing.

"My head is about recovering, so I'm in good shape for you guys. See you on Sunday.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a self-confessed tennis tragic, was glued to the action as Carlos Alcaraz sealed his win on Wednesday evening. It capped a long day for Albanese, who earlier announced a rescue package for bushfire-hit communities in Victoria. Our mastheads have previously written about his love for the sport, and he has become a familiar presence in the VIP seats at major tournaments in recent years.

At 22, Carlos Alcaraz has become the youngest man in the Open Era to reach the final at all four Grand Slam tournaments, beating the record set by Jim Courier in 1993. He is now just one win away from completing a career Grand Slam and could become the youngest man in history to do so, ahead of Don Budge, who achieved the feat in 1938. In the Open Era, the record is held by Rafael Nadal, who was 24 when he completed his career Grand Slam in 2010.

ALCARAZ 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 ZVEREV

The dream of a career Grand Slam is alive for Alcaraz

Game, set and match to Carlos Alcaraz after an extraordinary five-set epic that finished 7-5 in the decider. Mind you, Zverev fought well but ultimately Alcaraz takes the honours in the longest semi-final in #AUSOPEN.

Alexander Zverev briefly steadies himself with an ace, but the tension never lifts as Alcaraz drags him back to deuce with a stunning winner before forcing a match point through an unforced error. One final twist later, it is Alcaraz who prevails, sealing a remarkable victory that leaves Rod Laver Arena in disbelief.

Alcaraz will now face the winner of the late semi-final at Rod Laver Arena, where Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are set to battle for a place in the final. 

Rod Laver Arena is on its feet and singing as Carlos Alcaraz moves ahead 6-5, while a spent Alexander Zverev bends over double and looks to his team for answers. Facing back-to-back break points for the first time in the decider proves too much, and it now feels as if the momentum has swung firmly in Alcaraz's favour.

We are past five and a quarter hours on court and the drama peaks as Carlos Alcaraz breaks Alexander Zverev just as he is serving for the match. A huge “Vamos” rings out as Alcaraz soaks in the roar of a crowd desperate for this epic to continue, even if the night session fans outside may disagree. This is the theatre the tournament has been craving, with the score locked at 5-5 in the fifth set and Alcaraz stepping up to serve.

It is now or never for Carlos Alcaraz as he looks to keep his Australian Open campaign alive, with Alexander Zverev leading 5-4 and serving for the match. The weight of the moment hangs heavy, with intense pressure on both players as the finish line comes into view.

Alexander Zverev is closing in on the final. Frustration for Carlos Alcaraz as he pulls a forehand wide, allowing Alexander Zverev to survive once again and reach game point with a firm forehand at the net. The German then finishes it with a stunning winner, a moment that would rank among the best wins of his career if he goes on to close it out.

Carlos Alcaraz is animated and refuses to give up as he makes it 3-4 in the final set. Near the five-hour mark, the Spaniard fires a couple of winners to race to a 40-0 lead, briefly allowing Alexander Zverev on the board before Alcaraz closes out the game soon after.

Carlos Alcaraz fails to take his chance, and credit to Alexander Zverev, who stays calm under heavy pressure and hits a winner to earn game point.

Alcaraz is left bent over with his hands on his knees after an effort that, not long ago, looked beyond his physical limits.

Zverev survives another break point and moves closer to the finish line. The third seed is showing real fighting spirit.

How did he make that shot? Insane from Alcaraz. After that long chase, we can put the cramps talk to bed. What touch. And then, on the big point, he can go on to win the match. Zverev, though, was foolish. Instead of complaining, he should have tried to close the match against an Alcaraz who was barely moving. It only underlines the huge gap that still exists in the ATP rankings.

ROD ARENA COMES ALIVE!

Carlos Alcaraz is refusing to give up, but Alexander Zverev still has the edge in the longest match of his career. Zverev keeps pushing on Alcaraz's serve, yet the Spaniard held firm once again after being dragged to deuce. Zverev leads 3-2 and will serve next.

Alexander Zverev makes it 3-1 in the fifth set after a long 13-minute game. There is no panic from Alexander Zverev as he saves a second break point and turns it into game point. He stays in the rally until Alcaraz puts a forehand into the net, another narrow escape that could yet prove crucial for Zverev.

Zverev is staring at history as no player has ever beaten Alcaraz after going down 0-2 in the first two sets.

Carlos Alcaraz was given a time violation warning by the umpire as Zverev went 2-0 up in the fifth set.

The Spaniard has since hit back, but Zverev still leads 2-1 and is on top in this final set.

Alcaraz, though, is refusing to give in, even after Zverev produced a perfect, unexpected drop shot.

Alcaraz held serve to make it 2-1 to Zverev, and it feels like there could be at least one more break to come.

How the tables have turned. Alcaraz's win probability was 81 percent after three sets, but it has now swung to 70 percent in favour of Zverev.

Alcaraz has just double-faulted, handing Zverev a 1-0 lead in the deciding set.

The German now has a chance to take firm control of the match if he can hold serve. He has been patient so far, but in this final set he is beginning to assert himself.

Zverev leads 1-0 in the fifth set and is about to serve.
 

Alcaraz made up for a long forehand with a strong return, but Zverev stayed firm and again moved to within two points of taking the set. He earned set point when Alcaraz dumped a backhand into the net and looked tired as he limped between points. Zverev then sealed the set with a clean winner past Alcaraz, sending the match into a fifth set after nearly five hours.

Alcaraz 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (3-7) 6-7 (4-7) 0-0 Zverev

Carlos Alcaraz took control by attacking a second serve, and Alexander Zverev then made things worse by hitting a backhand into the net, giving Alcaraz the lead with serve at 3-2.

Alcaraz is holding serve but barely moving when returning, and he cannot find the energy to mount a challenge. Zverev holds comfortably again, having dropped just six points on serve in the fourth set. At last Alcaraz finds some breathing room on serve, racing to 40-0 with an ace out wide. Three points from another tiebreak, he looks stronger than he has for a while, and when Zverev goes long, belief surges again as Alcaraz eyes the finish.

Carlos Alcaraz lets a good chance slip with a forehand wide, but stays in the game with a neat drop shot to reach 30-15. Since his cramping issues began, he has struggled to trouble Alexander Zverev’s serve and now looks more frustrated by his errors than his body. Another missed forehand allows Zverev to get out of trouble.

Carlos Alcaraz is feeding off the crowd as Rod Laver Arena rises to its feet, swept up in the comeback. Alcaraz fights back to 30-30 after Alexander Zverev misjudges a return, then earns game point with a forehand placed neatly into the back corner.

He seals the game with another forehand winner, points to his ear as the crowd erupts, and once again shows he has no intention of giving in. The Spaniard levels the fourth set at 5-5, the noise growing louder with every point as belief surges again.

Zverev keeps things clinical, conserving energy as he holds to love and finishes the game with a clean ace down the middle. The third seed now needs just one more hold to force a deciding set and test Alcaraz’s body again, with the Spaniard clearly still struggling despite having shaken off the worst of his cramps.

Alcaraz lets out a huge release as he comes through a tense 30-30 game to hold, lifting his racket to soak in the roar of the crowd before bending over and punching the air in celebration. He is fully aware of the moment and the momentum, while Zverev, apart from that third-set tiebreak, has so far failed to make his chances count.

Alcaraz's urge to finish points quickly is leading to mistakes, with shots missing the lines and a forehand sailing long to hand Zverev two break points. He responds with a big serve and a delicate volley to save both, then backs it up with power and intensity to escape another tough game. What briefly felt flat has suddenly turned gripping, with the crowd roaring Alcaraz on as the match lifts into something truly thrilling.

Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev have held their respective serves in the fourth set.

The pickle juice has taken effect and Alcaraz, while slower than usual, is moving well.

Both players are trying to create tight angles against each other, playing to the edges of the court.

At the moment, the Australian Open official win predictor shows that Alcaraz is ahead by heavy margin.

So basically Zverev's complaint was that why is the opposition being allowed a medical break when he is not injured. Zverev is pleading that cramps are not injury.

There are loud cheers for Carlos Alcaraz who holds his serve despite struggling.

Pre-cramp, Alcaraz's first serve was clocking at 204 kph. That has come down to 177 kph now.

He has had pickle juice at the break, and is probably waiting for that to take effect now.

Alexander Zverev is alive in the semi-finals.

From the brink of losing the third set, Alexander Zverev fights back and stays alive.

After losing the first two sets 4-6, 6-7(5), Alexander Zverev takes the third set in tie-break 7-6(3).

Here's what led to the inflection between Alcaraz and Averev.

The third set has moved into the tie-breaks. If Zverev manages to win this, Alcaraz will be in trouble.

Alexander Zverev is heavily complaining about Carlos Alcaraz's medical break.

The commentators are saying that they understand the frustration of the German.

Alcaraz is right now getting massage in the same area that had bothered Musetti in the QF round. 

Alcaraz is leading 5-4 at the moment, with Zverev serving to stay in the game.

Carlos Alcaraz is clutching the inside of his right thigh. And he is dragging his right foot as well.

Is that going to be a concern? One hopes not.

You have to applaud Alexander Zverev for showing tremendous competitive spirit. He has continued to hold onto his serve despite some serious pressure from Carlos Alcaraz.

However, he would do well to show more composure on the net today. He has squandered several opportunities and made it difficult for himself.

The third set is locked at 3–3, and Carlos Alcaraz is inching ever closer to victory. All the momentum seems to be with the Spaniard—but the question on everyone’s mind: does Alexander Zverev still have something special left in his bag to turn this match around?

Carlos Alcaraz is creeping closer as the score levels at 2–2 in the second set. In the third set, Alexander Zverev responded with an impressive service hold, keeping Alcaraz to love. But if Zverev is to truly push Alcaraz onto the backfoot, he’ll need to back it up with more consistent pressure—there’s still plenty of tennis left to be played.

Alexander Zverev hasn’t played badly, but Carlos Alcaraz has delivered the decisive blows that have put him ahead.

It was those two break points and his incredible nerve under pressure in the tie-break that swung the momentum firmly in his favor.

Zverev has started the third set with a solid service hold, but the German still has a mountain of work ahead if he’s to claw his way back into this match.