After facing questions whether he could end the dominance of men's tennis's current power duo, Novak Djokovic was able to outlast Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open.
Djokovic's 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Sinner in a match that extended past 1:30 a.m. local time in Melbourne means he will have a chance to play for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title.
Awaiting Djokovic in the final: Carlos Alcaraz, who along with Sinner has won the past eight major titles. Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev in another five-setter in the first semifinal, a 5-hour, 27-minute match that was the longest semifinal ever at the Australian Open.
"I think you guys got the value for the ticket," Djokovic, 38, told the crowd of the two five-set matches, joking that he deserved 10% of the gate.
Sinner's loss was his first at the Australian Open since 2023 after claiming the trophy the past two years.
Djokovic ended a streak of semifinal exits at four consecutive majors. He advanced to his 11th Australian Open final, a stage he has never lost at, with 10 Norman Brookes Challenge Cups as the men's singles champion.
"Honestly it feels like winning already tonight," Djokovic said when asked about Sunday's final. "... I just hope that I'll have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with them. That's my desire, and let the gods decide the winner."
Alcaraz, 22, is into his first title match at Melbourne Park and is aiming to be the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
