Novak Djokovic summons the magic of old to stun Jannik Sinner and make Australian Open final

Sinner has swiftly become a legend Down Under.

He had, prior to today's match, not lost at the Grand Slam since 2023. That made him the overwhelming favourite, especially against a player many considered to be on the wane.

Yet Djokovic, throughout his whole career, has made a habit of silencing his critics.

Now, having toppled Sinner at an arena where he had started to rule with an iron first, the Serb is just one victory away from being on top once again.

Djokovic, simply put, was utterly sublime. There aren't enough superlatives to describe the 38-year-old and the way he ascended to the level of old, against the man sitting on his own throne.

Prior to the showdown, he'd been enraged when asked about chasing both Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who he'll face in Sunday's final.

“I'm chasing Jannik and Carlos? In which sense? So I'm always the chaser and I'm never being chased?” he told a reporter.

When told the question only applied to Grand Slams, he added: “Thanks. It's worth saying that sometimes, right?”

Djokovic has always had an issue when it comes to being dubbed a 'chaser'. That was often evident when he'd face Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, two players who, arguably, have enjoyed more support than himself.

But he has, time and time again, proven that it brings out the best in him. Being the underdog, being the man with the target on his back, is really just fine with him.

His match with Sinner didn't start well. He was broken in his service game and many spectators, both those watching on at home and from inside the ground, feared a potential drubbing.

Sinner took the first set comfortably. But, in the second, Djokovic broke his rival and eventually was able to close it out.

In the third, Sinner went ahead again with the Italian starting to regain his mojo after a brief dip in quality.

The fourth, however, saw Djokovic restore parity. Spectators were left stunned, with the 38-year-old digging deep and performing at a level that was a throwback to his prime years of old. Despite the clock ticking, he was here to stay.

Eventually, things went to the wire.

And it was Djokovic who took control, with the tennis icon breaking in the seventh game.

Sinner threatened a comeback but three break points ultimately came and went. It is Djokovic who now stands on the brink of Australian Open glory, having produced a performance so symbolic of old that it felt like watching a far younger version of the great tennis legend.

How Sunday's contest against Alcaraz plays out remains to be seen.