Djokovic Beats Sinner, Updated Australian Open Men's Tennis Bracket, Results

Novak Djokovic is into the Australian Open final for the 11th time in his legendary career after a five-set win over Jannik Sinner in the semifinal on Friday.

The 38-year-old advanced with a 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory that took just over four hours. He survived 26 aces and 72 winners from Sinner to put himself in position to compete for his 25th grand slam title.

Djokovic will take on Carlos Alcaraz, who survived his own five-set thriller against Alexander Zverev earlier in the day, in the men's final on Sunday.

By his own admission, Djokovic was "on my way home" in the quarterfinal before Lorenzo Musetti suffered an injury that forced him to retire midway through the third set when he was up two sets to none.

On top of that, Djokovic was dealing with a blister on his right big toe during the match with Musetti.

Sinner had also won the last five head-to-head matches with Djokovic dating back to 2023, a streak that included three victories in grand-slam tournament semifinals.

It certainly looked like that trend would continue on Friday, as Sinner won the opening set in nine games and had a six to one advantage in aces.

Djokovic was able to come back with a win in the second set, but Sinner rebounded in the third. The tide really started to turn in the fourth when Djoker had five of his 12 aces and Sinner committed seven unforced errors.

Sinner had the advantage in several key stats in the fifth set, including aces (five to two), winners (14 to 11) and unforced errors (10 to 11), but Djokovic even at this stage of his career keeps finding ways.

The stage is set for arguably the best men's player of all-time against possibly the best current men's player in the final. Djokovic and Alcaraz split their two head-to-head meetings last year, with Djokovic's win coming in the Australian Open quarterfinal.

If that result happens again, Djokovic will move into sole possession of first place on the all-time grand-slam singles title list. He is currently tied with Margaret Court at 24.

The Djokovic-Alcaraz final from Rod Laver Arena will begin at 3:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.