Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Jannik Sinner of Italy in their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo) Novak Djokovic reached his 11th Australian Open final after beating two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in a five-set match that ended well after midnight in Melbourne.After four hours and nine minutes at Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic dropped to his knees. Then he walked over to his chair and sat down with his head in his hands. The clock showed half past two in the morning. He saved eight break points in the deciding set.The score was: Sinner 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 4-6 Djokovic.It was the first time Djokovic had beaten Sinner since 2023 after losing his previous five matches. Djokovic fought back tears as he spoke to Jim Courier on court. His coach was also emotional. Djokovic said he was “lost for words”, described the match as “surreal” and joked that he thanked Sinner for finally letting him win.It is Djokovic’s first Grand Slam final since Wimbledon 2024. If he wins on Sunday, it will be his first major title since the US Open in 2023. It will also be 18 years since he won his first Grand Slam title, which came in Melbourne.At the age of 38, Djokovic is now one win away from a record 11th Australian Open title. A win would also give him his 25th Grand Slam singles title, moving him ahead of Margaret Court for the most singles titles in tennis history.World number one Carlos Alcaraz awaits him in the final. The match will be a rematch of the 2024 Wimbledon final and the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics. Alcaraz reached the final earlier on Friday after a long five-set win over third seed Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5, in a match that lasted nearly five and a half hours.Djokovic’s pursuit of history continues on Sunday back on the court where his Grand Slam journey began.
