Melbourne, January 31, 2026 – Novak Djokovic produced a masterclass in resilience and skill, coming from two sets to one down to defeat Jannik Sinner and end his bid for a third consecutive Australian Open title. The epic semifinal, which lasted four hours and nine minutes, concluded near 1:30 a.m. on Saturday with Djokovic prevailing 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
At 38 years old, Djokovic defied expectations with aggressive serving, precise groundstrokes, and remarkable stamina to secure a place in Sunday’s final against top seed Carlos Alcaraz. The match showcased Djokovic’s trademark mental toughness, as he turned the contest around despite trailing two sets to one.
“It feels surreal. The intensity and quality of tennis were extremely high. I knew that was the only way I could beat him,” Djokovic said after the win.
Despite being an underdog on a court where he has won a record 10 Australian Open titles, Djokovic entered the semifinal refreshed. He had benefited from a fourth-round walkover against Jakub Mensik and a quarterfinal retirement from Lorenzo Musetti, who had been leading two sets to love.
Trailing in the fourth set, Djokovic shifted momentum with a crucial break to stay alive, ultimately forcing a deciding set. He overcame a resilient Sinner, who generated multiple break points but could not convert any, sealing the victory on his third match point.
With this triumph, Djokovic now faces Alcaraz in what promises to be another high-intensity clash in the Australian Open final, capping a week of thrilling tennis in Melbourne.