Novak Djokovic has just reached his 11th Australian Open final after knocking out two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic beat Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 with a phenomenal display at Rod Laver Arena, with their clash lasting four hours and nine minutes.
The Serbian stunned the Australian Open crowd with his tireless performance, which has earned him a meeting with Carlos Alcaraz.
Earlier in the day, the world number one produced similar heroics in his five-set victory over Alexander Zverev.
Where does that performance rank out of Novak Djokovic’s best of all time?
Novak Djokovic disagrees with John McEnroe’s best-ever display comment
Alcaraz will be the favorite to clinch the title, but tennis legend John McEnroe just put forward an argument that Djokovic produced his finest-ever performance against Sinner.
Ranking the win in light of that comment, the Serbian said: “To be honest, I wouldn’t dare to call it ever, finest ever, but definitely the finest in the last couple of years.
“Under the circumstances and semis against Sinner, who has been playing the best tennis of his life in the last couple of years, particularly here, two-time defending champion, doesn’t get better than this.
“Honestly, when I started my preparations for the new season and kind of set the goals, it’s no secret that Grand Slams are where I want to play my best tennis, but it becomes, I guess, more difficult for me to motivate myself, and I ask myself questions.
“You know, okay, what is it that I’m looking for from myself? I was imagining really playing against Jannik and Carlos at the final stages of Grand Slams this year and battling it out and really giving it all that I have.
“So very fortunate to already get it in the first Slam of the year. So, yeah, big win. Very proud. Very happy. Very relieved, as well, because it was physically very demanding and gruelling.”
Who will win the Australian Open men’s singles final?
Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz will make history at the Australian Open
It is a fitting finale in more ways than one, but primarily because both players have a chance of making history in their own right.
Having already won the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, Alcaraz can now complete the career Grand Slam by lifting the trophy.
Significantly, the 22-year-old would be the youngest man to achieve the feat if he does indeed overcome his ATP rival Djokovic.
Meanwhile, the Serbian is currently level on 24 Grand Slam titles with Margaret Court, and needs just one more to take a solo lead at the top.
It’s youth against experience in the final, where intriguingly both players could still be feeling the impact of their lengthy semifinals in the Melbourne heat.
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