In a dramatic clash, Novak Djokovic battled past Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller to reach the final of the 2026 Australian Open. With the 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory, Djokovic sets up a gold medal rematch against world number one Carlos Alcaraz.
The win books Djokovic a place in his 11th Australian Open final and keeps his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title alive. It also marks his first major final since Wimbledon 2024.
Djokovic’s path to the final was forged through sheer resilience. Having lost his last five matches to the Italian, including the semi-finals of the 2025 French Open and Wimbledon, the Serbian entered the match as the underdog. Sinner started strong, breaking Djokovic early to take the first set.
Undeterred, the 24-time major champion raised his level, breaking back in the second set to level the match. The high-quality contest continued deep into the Melbourne night, with Sinner seizing the third set to move within one of victory.
Facing elimination, Djokovic found another gear. He claimed the fourth set to force a decider, where he produced what he later called one of his best-ever performances. In a tense fifth set, he broke Sinner’s serve at a crucial moment and saved eight break points on his own serve to seal the win after more than four hours.
“I’m lost for words,” an emotional Djokovic told the cheering crowd. “It feels surreal. The quality of tennis was extremely high and I know that was the only way I’d have a chance to win against him.”
He added, “It feels like winning already, but now I have to fight the number one in the world. I hope I have enough gas to stay toe to toe with him.”
Djokovic will now face Carlos Alcaraz, who won his own five-hour semi-final against Alexander Zverev earlier on today. This final will be their first meeting in a championship match since Djokovic defeated the Spaniard for the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Alcaraz, however, won their most recent match at last year’s US Open.
The stage is set for a heavyweight final this Sunday, where history and rivalry will collide on Rod Laver Arena.