Australian Open: Djokovic battles past Sinner to tee up shot at grand slam history

Novak Djokovic will take on Carlos Alcaraz with history on the line in a mouthwatering Australian Open final.

After seeing Alcaraz defeat Alexander Zverev in a five-hour, 27-minute epic earlier on Friday, Djokovic overcame two-time reigning champion Jannik Sinner in another marathon contest on Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic triumphed 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 in a thrilling contest, which swung one way and then the other before Sinner finally sliced out of play for the 10-time Melbourne champion to seal victory.

Sinner had clawed back two match points to force deuce, yet Djokovic regained his composure to ensure he will go up against Alcaraz in Sunday's title showdown.

It will mark his first grand slam final appearance since he lost to the Spaniard at Wimbledon

in 2024, as Djokovic aims to end his wait for a record-breaking 25th major crown.

The Serbian had to overcome injury midway through the third set, but he hit back with a vengeance by breaking Sinner early in the fourth.

Djokovic's crucial break in the deciding set came to put him 4-3 up, and despite his mini wobble in the final game, he will now get his shot at history.

Sinner, meanwhile, was denied the chance at becoming only the second man, after Djokovic, to win three straight Australian Open titles.

1 - Novak Djokovic is the oldest Men’s Singles finalist at the Australian Open in the Open Era, surpassing the previous record held by Ken Rosewall in 1972. Phenomenon.#AusOpen | @AustralianOpen @atptour pic.twitter.com/Ynfd4PHCHy

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 30, 2026

Data Debrief: Thirty-eight in 38

Djokovic, who is 38 years old, will now make his 38th appearance in a major final, which is seven more than any other player in the Open Era.

He has become the oldest men's singles finalist at the Australian Open, surpassing the previous record set by Ken Rosewall (37 years, 54 days) in 1972.

No other player can better his tally of wins over top-10 opponents at a single major since the ATP rankings were published in 1973, with Djokovic equalling Rafael Nadal (at Roland-Garros) on 20.

Djokovic saved a remarkable 16 break points. The only time he has saved more in an Australian Open match was against Andy Murray in the 2012 semi-finals, when he went on to defeat Nadal in a five-hour, 53-minute final.