A true monument. At the end of a battle lasting more than 4 hours, Novak Djokovic finally defeated Jannik Sinner this Friday in the semi-finals of the Australian Open (3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, in 4h09). An absolutely exceptional success for the 38-year-old Serbian. He remained on five consecutive losses against the world number two and had not beaten him since November 2023, at the Turin Masters.
In search of a historic 25th Grand Slam coronation, the record holder for the number of Major titles will meet Carlos Alcaraz for a summit final on Sunday morning in Melbourne. For “Nole”, silent in the premier category since his victory at the US Open in 2023, the opportunity is too good to add a new golden page to his exceptional record. If successful, he would erase Margaret Court from the books and become the player who has won the most Grand Slams in the history of the game, men and women combined.
“It seems surreal to me”
But the main thing was elsewhere this Friday. Far from having his head in the history books and records, Djokovic was above all looking for a key to find in the face of his current pet peeve. “He had won the last five matches against me, he had my mobile number and I had to change the number this evening,” he pictured on the court at Jim Courier’s microphone after his success, picked up at 1:30 a.m. Australian time.
A little sentence that is not so insignificant, as the native of Belgrade has increased his level compared to his last confrontations against Sinner. Much more aggressive (42 winning shots), absolutely impregnable on serve (12 aces, 71% of points won behind the first), the ten-time winner in Melbourne played stellar tennis on the Rod Laver Arena, seeming to go back in time fifteen years.
“It seems surreal to me, it reminded me of the final against Rafa (Nadal) in 2012,” he recalled during the post-match interview. “The level of intensity and quality of tennis was very high. » If the meeting did not reach the incomparable heights of this legendary final against the Spaniard, Djokovic was still reminded of his finest hours this Friday.
Alcaraz in the viewfinder
Known for his solidity in hot moments, the Serb was heroic in countering Sinner during crucial points. The latter finished the match with a terrible conversion ratio on break points in his favor (2/18, 0/8 in the fifth set). The steely mentality of “Nole” once again saved him when the air ran out, the winner of the evening converting his only break opportunity at 3-3 in the decisive set.
Very moved at the end of this magical success, unexpected given his age, the king of Melbourne is preparing to take on a new major challenge this Sunday for the 38th (!) final of his immense Grand Slam career. Carlos Alcaraz, also winner of a marathon against Alexander Zverev earlier in the day, is waiting for him to win his first Australian Open and prevent his Serbian rival from winning an eleventh.
“I feel like I won tonight but I know we will have to come back to face the world number one,” said “Djoko”, already focused on the final. “I hope I have enough gas to get up to his level.” » Knowing the Djokovic specimen, there is no doubt that he will succeed.
