Carlos Alcaraz and Serbian maestro Novak Djokovic will meet in the Australian Open final in Melbourne on Sunday. 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 history. 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 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, since when Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated men’s tennis. It has left Djokovic stranded alongside Australia’s Margaret Court — who was in the stadium watching — tied on 24 majors. Sinner, 24, made a rapid start at Rod Laver Arena, breaking Djokovic’s serve to race into a 3-0 lead.
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The four-time major winner was in superb touch, his serve firing and his groundstrokes unerring to seal the first set. Back came Djokovic, breaking serve for a 3-1 lead in the second set and then saving three break points for 4-1.
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