ATP Tour

Djokovic defeats Sinner in five-set classic, returns to Australian Open final

Novak Djokovic turned back the clock once more in the early hours of Saturday morning at the Australian Open, where he snapped his five-match losing streak against Jannik Sinner in a five-set epic to move within one victory of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and an 11th in Melbourne.

Having dropped the opening set and then slipped two sets to one behind, the recent familiar narrative threatened to repeat itself for Djokovic, who lost in the semi-finals at all four majors in 2025. This time, however, the 38-year-old refused to yield, saving 16 of the 18 break points he faced in the four-hour and nine-minute thriller. Red-lining under the lights on Rod Laver Arena, he dragged himself back into the clash and outlasted the two-time defending champion 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a gripping semi-final battle.

“I am lost for words right now, to be honest,” said Djokovic, who is in his first major final since Wimbledon 2024. “It feels surreal to be honest. Playing for over four hours, it is nearly 2 am. Reminiscing about 2012 when I played Rafa in the final and that was almost six hours. 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. 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.”

NOT. DONE. YET! 🤯@DjokerNole #AO26 pic.twitter.com/nfZo4EPMP8

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 30, 2026

It marked Djokovic’s first five-set match since Roland Garros in 2024, when he survived against Francisco Cerundolo. Awaiting Djokovic in Sunday’s final is rival Carlos Alcaraz, who earlier endured the longest semi-final in Australian Open history, a five-hour, 27-minute marathon against Alexander Zverev, to reach his first championship match in Melbourne.

"I did watch [Alcaraz-Zverev]. I was very eager to get out on the court. What an incredible match," Djokovic said. "We tried to match that quality and intensity, but credit to both of those guys, battling it out. I saw Carlos after the match and he told me 'I am sorry to delay the start of your match', and I told him I am an old man and I need to go earlier to sleep. I am looking forward to seeing him in a few days."

Djokovic has not lifted a major trophy since the US Open in 2023, a drought underscored by the dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz, who have shared the past eight majors between them. The Italian and Spaniard had also contested the previous three Grand Slam finals, but Djokovic tore up that script on Friday, denying them the chance to become just the second pair in the Open Era to meet in four consecutive major finals, after Djokovic and Rafael Nadal between Wimbledon 2011 and Roland Garros 2012.

The Serbian will carry a narrow 5-4 Lexus ATP Head2Head advantage over Alcaraz into Sunday’s final, having beaten the Spaniard in the quarter-finals in Melbourne 12 months ago. Buoyed by his proactive, ruthless display against Sinner, Djokovic will also enter the title match the fresher of the two, having spent less time on court through a unique path to the final.

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Djokovic won his opening three matches in straight sets, benefited from a fourth-round walkover against Jakub Mensik and advanced again when Lorenzo Musetti retired while leading by two sets in the quarter-finals. Into his 38th major final following his win, Djokovic is the oldest man in the Open Era to reach the Australian Open final. The No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings has now earned a record 104 wins at the major, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Roger Federer is second on the list with 102.

In front of an electric Rod Laver Arena crowd, Sinner showed exactly why he had won his previous five meetings with Djokovic in the first set, producing a composed and authoritative display in the opener. The Italian struck 15 winners to Djokovic’s eight and dictated the majority of the baseline exchanges to take control.

Djokovic responded with urgency at the start of the second set, clawing back momentum. The 38-year-old converted his fourth break-point opportunity to move ahead 3–1, striking with renewed aggression and pinpoint accuracy down the line to force Sinner out of position and level the match.

Sinner wrestled back the initiative in the third, using his touch and variation to outmanoeuvre Djokovic while winning an imposing 90 per cent (18/20) of his first-serve points. Yet the Serbian refused to fade. In the fourth set, Djokovic penetrated Sinner’s defences with increasingly proactive hitting, upping the pace on his forehand beyond 140 km/h and saving two crucial break points at 4-3 to drag the contest into a deciding fifth set.

Djokovic then showcased why he is the champion he is in a tense decider. The 101-time tour-level titlist continued to swing away in the fifth set and saved all eight break points he faced, including three from 0/40 at 4-3. He conjured up some magic of his own on return to find the key breakthrough in the seventh game before holding out for a remarkable win.

Djokovic failed to convert either of his first two match points, with Sinner scrambling to stay alive on the backhand side to bring the scores back to deuce. However, it was third time lucky for the 38-year-old, who dropped to his knees shortly after sealing victory.

"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 looking ahead to the final. "I hope I have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with him, that is my desire."

Did You Know?
It is the first time since Wimbledon 2018 that both men’s semi-finals have gone to five sets.