The 2026 Australian Open delivered two extraordinary men's semi-finals on Friday, with Novak Djokovic stunning defending champion Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz surviving the longest semi-final in tournament history against Alexander Zverev. The stage is now set for an epic final between the 38-year-old Serbian legend and the 22-year-old Spanish sensation.
In the night session at Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic produced a masterclass of mental fortitude to defeat Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a gripping four-hour, nine-minute battle that extended past 1:30 a.m. local time. The 24-time Grand Slam champion refused to yield throughout the match, saving an remarkable 16 of 18 break points he faced. In a pivotal fifth set where Sinner held eight break-point opportunities and Djokovic just one, it was the Serbian who converted his solitary chance to seal victory.
By defeating the world number two, Djokovic became the oldest player in the Open Era to reach an Australian Open men's singles final. The victory also snapped his streak of semi-final exits at four consecutive majors, advancing him to his 11th Australian Open final, a stage where he remains undefeated in his illustrious career.
Earlier in the day, world number one Carlos Alcaraz wrote his own chapter in Australian Open history by outlasting Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 in an epic five-hour, 27-minute marathon, the longest semi-final the tournament has ever witnessed. The Spanish star appeared to suffer an upper right leg injury late in the third set but showed incredible resilience, rallying from 3-5 down in the deciding set to claim victory.
Alcaraz's triumph means he becomes the youngest man in the Open Era to reach the final at all four Grand Slam tournaments, a remarkable achievement for the 22-year-old who already holds five major titles. He will now face Djokovic in what promises to be a fourth consecutive major title showdown between tennis's present and its enduring past.
The women's final was already set before the men's semi-finals, with top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka booking her place in the championship match for the fourth consecutive year after racing past Ukrainian 12th-seed Elina Svitolina. She will face fifth-seed Elena Rybakina in a repeat of the 2023 Australian Open final, where Sabalenka claimed her first major title.
In mixed doubles action, Australian duo Olivia Gadecki and John Peers successfully defended their title, coming from a set down to defeat Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard. The home crowd at Melbourne Park celebrated another memorable moment in a tournament that has delivered exceptional tennis throughout.
Sunday's men's final between Djokovic and Alcaraz represents a clash of generations: the 38-year-old seeking a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and 11th Australian Open crown, against the 22-year-old looking for his sixth major championship. With Djokovic's perfect record in Australian Open finals and Alcaraz's hunger to complete his career Grand Slam, the final promises to be a fitting conclusion to a spectacular tournament.
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