On an extraordinary day in Melbourne, Carlos Alcaraz pulled off a great escape and Novak Djokovic then followed suit against Jannik Sinner to set up a historic Australian Open final.
The Spaniard, 22, is seeking to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam after conquering the grand stages of tennis at Wimbledon, in Paris and New York.
Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
The Serbian, 38, is within one triumph of becoming the oldest man to win a major title, surpassing Ken Rosewall. It shapes as a decider for the ages given what is on the line.
It is fitting, given what is at stake in an Australian Open that delivered one of its finest days, that both finalists were forced to the brink against outstanding rivals to reach the decider.
Alcaraz was out on his feet against world No.3 Alexander Zverev, trailing 3-5 in the decider, before pulling off a stunning comeback to oust the German star in an epic lasting 5hr 27min.
Before taking to Rod Laver Arena for his clash with the double-defending champion Sinner, Djokovic approached Alcaraz and his team and exchanged high fives and back slaps.
Then the 10-time Australian Open champion turned back the clock with an astonishing performance to derail a rival who has been the finest hard court player for two years.
Zverev: He took an hour and a half off! | 00:22
“I saw Carlos after the match and he told me he was sorry to delay the start of the match,” he said.
“I told him ‘I am an old man. I need to go earlier to sleep.’ But I am looking forward to seeing him in a few days.”
With a 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 triumph in 4hr 09min, Djokovic showed remarkable resilience and unwavering faith in the quality of his tennis under extreme pressure. He was superb.
In the fifth set Djokovic faced multiple break points in his first two service games, and then another three in succession after breaking for 4-3, but somehow survived every chance.
As he contemplated his victory, Djokovic’s on court interview with four-time major champion Jim Courier was interrupted by fans chanting “Novak. Novak. Novak.”
“I am lost for words right now, to be honest. My God. It feels surreal, to be honest,” he said.
This was the Djokovic that his fans in Australia have been privileged to watch during the most dominant reign Melbourne Park has seen.
The emerging star who knocked off Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2008 to win his first major. The icon who outlasted Rafael Nadal in the longest final ever played in 2012. The legend went unbeaten on Rod Laver Arena for five years between 2019 and 2023.
Brilliant and brave, the veteran gave his all and more against one of the two ascending stars in the sport, a rival 14 years his junior who has won the past two Aussie Opens.
The quality of tennis resembled the old computer classic Pong. Except both men were playing with the cheat mode on as they pummelled the ball from one side to the other.
‘F***ing Bulls***!” Zverev rages in Semi | 01:30
Even at the start of the fifth set, the ball whizzed back and forth across the net with scarcely a margin for error before honing in to land just before the baseline, only to be clubbed back with even more venom. It really was extraordinary. And the crowd roared for more and more.
“Reminiscing in 2012 when I played Rafa in the finals … the level, the intensity, and I guess the quality of the tennis was extremely high and I knew that was the only way for me to have a chance against him,” he said.
“I have tremendous respect for him. He pushes you to the very limit, which is what he did tonight. I cannot thank you enough, to all the people. Tonight has been one of the … best atmospheres and support I have received.”
When the 38-year-old saved two break points in the opening game of the deciding set, a capacity crowd inside Rod Laver Arena was off their feet in applause.
Outside in Garden Square, where Novak’s fans have gathered so often to celebrate his Australian Open triumphs, cheers and gasps met every winner that he struck.
They had even more reason to roar when he clubbed two incredible winners in his following service game to again save break points against Sinner, who then shanked a third chance.
After losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open final last September, the Italian vowed to add more variety to his game and did so in the latter stages of the season.
But as the semifinal progressed late in the deciding set, he was metronomic in his approach to the match, clubbing the ball from one side to the other against a rival who would not relent. If anything, Djokovic revelled with the rhythm he was being offered. And he pounced.
Having failed to seize control in the infancy of the fifth set, Sinner was prone to suffering a let down, and that occurred at 3-all when Djokovic was able to break courtesy of some ripping winners from his own racquet and also a couple of errors from the Italian’s end.
Epics always have twists in the tail and this classic proved no different. Djokovic knows better than anyone that a break is only truly converted if you hold in the following game.
He immediately slumped to 0-40 but somehow dug deep – including a superb smash, a shot that has given him troubles, from deep in the court – to save all three once again.
Gadecki and Peers defend their AO title | 01:17
But even facing match point, Sinner kept challenging the most successful man tennis has seen. The second match point save, in particular, was especially stunning from Sinner.
There would be no further reprieves for the world No.2, whose reign in Melbourne ended when he dragged a backhand marginally wide. Sinner had won more points, but Djokovic claimed the battle.
A new King will be crowned on Sunday. But it might yet be the ever-enduring King of Melbourne Park. A new King will be crowned on Sunday. But it might yet be the ever-enduring King of Melbourne Park. A 25th grand slam title, which would separate him from Margaret Court, beckons if he can knock off the world No.1.
As for the fans who attended on Friday, Djokovic thinks they got a good deal.
“What an incredible match (between Alcaraz and Zverev),” he said.
“We tried to match that quality and intensity. Kudos to both these guys for battling it out. I think you guys got value for your ticket today. I want 10 per cent (of the takings).”
Discussion about this post