Vintage Djokovic topples Sinner to set up Alcaraz final

Melbourne, Jan. 31: Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final after stunning reigning two-time champion Jannik Sinner early Saturday in a five-set marathon to move to the brink of yet another Grand Slam record.

The 38-year-old Serb rolled back the years to battle past Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a 1:32 am (Australia time) finish and plays top seed Alcaraz in Sunday's Melbourne title decider.

If he beats a player 16 years younger, Djokovic would win an all-time record 25th Grand Slam crown.

Alcaraz defied fitness issues in an epic five-set triumph of his own, over German third seed Alexander Zverev, in the other semi-final. 

With age and injuries catching up with Djokovic, this may represent the Serb's best chance of seizing that elusive 25th major, although his gritty display against Sinner shows he still has plenty left in the tank.

His last Grand Slam title came at the US Open in 2023, but Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated men's tennis since.

It has left Djokovic stranded alongside Australia's Margaret Court – who was in the stadium watching – tied on 24 majors.

The former world number one is the undisputed king of Melbourne Park, having won 10 titles there. But he admitted he was very lucky after reaching the semi-finals and acknowledged he was the underdog against Sinner.

Djokovic was two sets down in his quarter-final to Lorenzo Musetti when the Italian fifth seed retired hurt.

He also had a free ride through the fourth round when Jakub Mensik pulled out injured. Djokovic reached the semi-finals of all four majors last year, but failed to go further.

“It feels surreal,” Djokovic said of his comeback semifinal win, a 4-hour, 9-minute classic. "Honestly, it feels like winning already tonight. I know I have to come back … and fight the No. 1 of the world. I just hope that I’ll have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with him.

“That’s my desire. Let the God decide the winner.”

Alcaraz defends timeout

The top-ranked Alcaraz also had to come through a grueling five-setter. He fended off No. 3 Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 in a match that started in the warmth of the afternoon Friday and, 5 hours and 27 minutes later, became the longest semifinal ever at the Australian Open.

The Spanish world number one said he did not think he had cramp initially when he took a medical timeout that left Alexander Zverev fuming in their marathon Australian Open semi-final on Friday.

There was controversy when Alcaraz pulled up in pain clutching his right thigh at 4-4 in the third set.

He was allowed to have treatment at the changeover, leaving Zverev furious and angrily remonstrating with officials.

Medical timeouts are not permitted solely for muscle cramping. "He was cramping, so normally you can't take a medical timeout for cramping," said Zverev. "What can I do? It's not my decision. I didn't like it, but it's not my decision." Asked what he told the officials on court, he replied: "I just said it was bullshit, basically."

Alcaraz, who continued after treatment with his movement limited, said it was the physio who called for the medical timeout.

"In the beginning when it was on a specific just one muscle, I didn't think it was cramp at all," he said.

"I didn't know exactly what it was because I just go around to a forehand and then I started to feel it just in the right adductor, so that's why I just called the physio because in that moment, the left leg was good.(AFP/AP)