Melbourne, Jan 30 (.) Novak Djokovic produced a masterclass in tactical adaptability, physical endurance and mental resilience to outlast defending champion Jannik Sinner in a pulsating five-set semi-final, sealing a 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory to reach the Australian Open 2026 men’s singles final at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday night.
At 38, Djokovic once again demonstrated why he remains one of the greatest problem-solvers the sport has known, dismantling Sinner’s power game over the course of three hours through subtle but decisive strategic shifts.
Sinner began the contest with authority, breaking Djokovic in the opening game and racing to a 3-0 lead as the Serb struggled with timing and depth. From a technical standpoint, Sinner’s early success was built on taking the ball early, pinning Djokovic deep with flat backhands and rushing him on the forehand wing. The Italian’s first-serve percentage and willingness to step inside the baseline allowed him to dictate rallies and comfortably close out the first set 6-3 without facing a break point.
Djokovic’s response in the second set was rooted in adjustment rather than aggression alone. He slowed the tempo between points, increased the net clearance on his groundstrokes and began targeting Sinner’s forehand corner with heavier topspin. This disrupted the Italian’s rhythm and forced longer rallies.
The break at 3-1, finished with a blistering forehand winner, came after Djokovic extended points beyond eight shots, a clear sign of his intent to test Sinner’s patience rather than match him shot for shot. Saving a crucial 15-40 service game to move 4-1 underlined Djokovic’s growing control of the match’s emotional flow, and he closed out the set 6-3.
The third set reflected Sinner’s maturity as a champion. Recognising Djokovic’s change in tactics, the Italian raised his first-serve speed and shortened points, especially on big occasions. By stepping further inside the baseline on second-serve returns, Sinner prevented Djokovic from settling into extended exchanges and earned a vital break, edging the set 6-4. At that stage, the match appeared to be tilting towards the younger man, both physically and strategically.
Facing elimination in the fourth set, Djokovic leaned heavily on his experience. The rallies grew more nuanced, with the Serb mixing drop shots, sharper angles and well-timed net approaches to pull Sinner out of his comfort zones. The decisive break came late in the set, a classic Djokovic pattern of absorbing pressure before striking at the critical moment. Clinching the set 6-4, Djokovic forced a fifth set and shifted the psychological weight firmly onto Sinner.
The deciding set was a study in mental strength. Sinner initially kept pace, holding serve efficiently and maintaining pressure, but Djokovic’s ability to raise his level in key moments proved decisive. At 3-3, Djokovic produced two aces under pressure to steady himself, a reminder of how his serve has evolved into a reliable weapon even late in long matches. The pivotal break at 4-3 came after Djokovic won five straight points from 15-40, capitalising on slight hesitation in Sinner’s shot selection as fatigue began to creep in.
Djokovic’s closing sequence encapsulated the match. He went 0-40 down at 5-3 but refused to panic, trusting his patterns and depth to turn the game around. Even after Sinner saved two match points at 5-4 with fearless hitting, Djokovic maintained composure, eventually sealing the win to end the Italian’s Australian Open reign.
From an analytical perspective, the match underlined Djokovic’s enduring edge at the highest level: his ability to diagnose problems mid-match and apply precise tactical solutions under extreme physical stress. While Sinner’s power and baseline dominance remain the blueprint for the future of men’s tennis, this semifinal was a reminder that decision-making, point construction and emotional control still decide the biggest matches.
Earlier in the day, World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz reached his maiden Australian Open final after defeating Alexander Zverev in a dramatic five-set encounter despite battling a mid-match groin injury.
Djokovic will now face Alcaraz in Sunday’s final, chasing an unprecedented 11th Australian Open title and further extending a legacy built not just on skill, but on unmatched competitive intelligence.
. . .