TENNIS – 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.
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.
Alcaraz fought through a leg cramp to deny Zverev and whereas Djokovic can become the oldest winner, the Spaniard will bid to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam with his first Melbourne title.
The semi-finals overwhelmed Alcaraz and Djokovic physically, with both vomiting during the matches.
Two sets up, Alcaraz struggled to move at 4-4 in the third set and had a medical timeout (MTO) at the change of ends to have work on his right thigh.
It left Zverev, last year’s runner-up to Sinner, raging at the supervisor, given players are banned from MTOs for cramp.
Alcaraz glugged pickle juice and soldiered on, losing the next two sets but still conjuring enough shot-making brilliance to make Zverev work for them.
The Spaniard’s prospects dimmed when he double-faulted to drop serve in the opening game of the fifth.
But he looked reborn when he chased down a drop-shot and pulled off a winner at full stretch.
Zverev fought grimly to keep Alcaraz at bay, saving a slew of break points as his exhaustion grew.
He served for the match at 5-4, only to see it slip through his fingers as Alcaraz claimed the last three games in a stunning finish.
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