Novak Djokovic claims epic win over Jannik Sinner to reach Australian Open final

Novak Djokovic produced one of the most remarkable performances of his career to defeat two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner and reach an 11th Australian Open final.

The 38-year-old is the oldest man in the open era to achieve the feat, and he battled for four hours and nine minutes to do so, finally clinching a 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 victory just after 1.30am.

After Sinner’s final backhand landed wide, Djokovic thrust his arms aloft before collapsing to the court in elation and exhaustion.

UNBELIEVABLE ‼️

Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the #AO26 Final after playing out this EPIC with Jannik Sinner@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/DLUdQdtFmd

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2026

With tears in his eyes, the Serbian said: “I’m lost for words right now. It feels surreal to be honest. Playing over four hours, almost 2am. The level of intensity and the quality of tennis was extremely high. I knew that was the only way for me to have a chance to win tonight.

“He beat me the last five times. He had my mobile number so I had to change my number for tonight. I told him at the net thanks for allowing me at least one.

“It already feels like winning but I know I have to come back and fight the number one in the world in a couple of days. I just hope I’ll have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with him.”

The performance capped an incredible day of action at Melbourne Park after a cramping Carlos Alcaraz’s five-and-a-half-hour epic against Alexander Zverev earlier.

Now Djokovic will take on the other new colossus of men’s tennis on Sunday with a record-breaking 25th grand slam title, the prize he never stopped believing was possible, tantalisingly close to his grasp.

Djokovic reached