Alexander Zverev beat an injured Novak Djokovic to advance to his first Australian Open final.
The German ATP Tour star had never qualified for a Major final in Melbourne and faced a tough test against the ten-time champion.
Djokovic had battled past Carlos Alcaraz in his quarter-final match, but picked up an injury during the first set against the Spaniard that had him ‘concerned’.
He looked good during the early stages of the semi-final, however, as Djokovic and Zverev fought tooth and nail in a first-set that went to a tiebreaker.
It was the world number two that clinched it, 7-5, before Djokovic shocked the crowd on Rod Laver Arena by retiring from the match.
Following his exit from the Australian Open, Djokovic said he would like to see Zverev pick up his first Major title in Melbourne, something the 27-year-old has now reacted to.
Alexander Zverev is ‘very thankful’ after hearing Novak Djokovic wants him to win the Australian Open
During his post-match press conference, Zverev was asked how he felt after hearing Djokovic say he wants him to win his first Grand Slam title at this year’s Australian Open.
“That means a lot to me, especially from Novak [Djokovic], I think, who I admire and respect so much,” he said.
“I’m very thankful to Novak for wishing me that.”
The German star then looked ahead to Sunday’s final, where he will be competing against Italy’s Jannik Sinner.
“Yeah, as I said, I’m looking forward to Sunday,” he said.
“I do feel like I have done the work, and I do feel like I’m ready for it, so we’ll see how it goes.
“Yeah, let’s see what’s going to happen on the weekend.”
Zverev and Sinner have played one another six times to date, with the German leading the head-to-head, 4-2.
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2024 Cincinnati (SF) | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 7-6, 5-7, 7-6 |
| 2023 US Open (R16) | Alexander Zverev | Jannik Sinner | 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 |
| 2022 Monte-Carlo (QF) | Alexander Zverev | Jannik Sinner | 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 |
| 2021 US Open (R16) | Alexander Zverev | Jannik Sinner | 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2020 Cologne 2 (SF) | Alexander Zverev | Jannik Sinner | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2020 French Open (R16) | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 |
Having won their previous four encounters, Zverev lost to Sinner in a three-set thriller in Cincinnati last year, before the Italian went on to clinch the title.
Can Alexander Zverev finally win a Grand Slam title?
‘The best player never to win a Slam’ is a phrase that has been used to describe Zverev for many years now, and he’ll no doubt love to put a stop to its use with a win over Sinner on Sunday.
Twice, Zverev has been a beaten finalist at Grand Slam tournaments, losing in five-sets on both occasions.
2020 US Open F – Dominic Thiem beats Alexander Zverev (2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6)
Djokovic was the clear favorite at Flushing Meadows five years ago, before a stray ball hit a line-judge, prompting him to be defaulted from the tournament.
The draw was blown wide open, and it was Austria’s Dominic Thiem and Zverev who took advantage, as they faced off for the title.
Tennis was guaranteed a new Slam champion for the first time since 2014 when Marin Cilic beat Kei Nishikori at the US Open.
Zverev couldn’t have come a whole lot closer to winning as he stormed to a two-set lead against a clearly fatigued Thiem before he began to struggle in the latter stages.
The German let opportunity, after opportunity slip on Arthur Ashe, as Thiem tied things up before the decider went to a tiebreaker.
It wasn’t to be for Zverev, as Thiem won his only Major title, lifting the title in front of his friend and rival after an exhausting Grand Slam final.
2024 French Open F – Carlos Alcaraz beats Alexander Zverev (6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2)
Having fallen at the semi-final stage five times since he lost in New York, Zverev returned to a Major final at Roland Garros last year.
Across the court from him stood Alcaraz, who was searching for a first title in Paris, and looked to be the heavy favorite.
It was Zverev who came close again, however, as he overcame a one-set deficit to take a 2-1 lead in the final.
Unfortunately for the German, Alcaraz stepped into another gear, dropping just three games in the last two sets as he won the title in front of a packed-out Philippe Chatrier crowd.
Again he had lost in a Major final, in five sets, something that he’ll be hoping to avoid when he takes on the world number one at the Australian Open.
Zverev will face off against Sinner for the Australian Open title on Sunday, January 26.
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