Djokovic sets up Alcaraz showdown for Australian Open title

MELBOURNE, Jan 30 : Novak Djokovic turned back the clock to dethrone Jannik Sinner in a five-set classic and set up a final showdown with world number one Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard slogged through the longest Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

Stopped in the semi-finals of the last four Grand Slams, Djokovic sent the Italian double defending champion packing with a 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 win completed in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Less than four months before his 39th birthday, the 10-times champion eclipsed Ken Rosewall as the oldest man to reach the final in the professional era, while snapping a five-match losing streak to Sinner.

He will bid for a record-extending 11th title at Melbourne Park and the unprecedented 25th major crown that has eluded him against Spaniard Alcaraz, who needed five hours and 27 minutes to fell Zverev 6-4 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 6-7(4) 7-5 earlier at Rod Laver Arena.

"I saw Carlos after the match and he told me 'I'm sorry to delay the start' and I told him 'I'm an old man, I need to go earlier to sleep'," Djokovic said on court.

"Looking forward to seeing him in a couple of days."

At a tournament short on thrillers and major upsets, all four semi-finalists played their part to deliver drama in spades.

Djokovic needed to draw on 20 years of Grand Slam experience and his famed mental toughness to hold out Sinner, who was relentless in attacking the Serb's serve but failed to convert eight break-point chances in the final set.

"I had my chances ... Many break points, couldn't use them," said Sinner.

"He came up with some great shots.

"I know he's won 24 Grand Slams. We know each other very well, how we play.

"I feel like he's the greatest player for many, many years."

ALCARAZ BATTLES