Novak Djokovic has maintained his bid for a record extending tenth Australian Open and record equaling 22nd major after dispatching of American Tommy Paul 7-5 6-1 6-2 to progress to the final.
It was Djokovic’s 26th consecutive match win at Melbourne Park and his ninth consecutive Grand Slam semifinal victory, with his most recent loss in the final four stage coming to Dominic Thiem at the 2019 French Open.
The victory sees the 35-year-old in a 33rd major final with a rematch of the 2021 Roland Garros final against Stefanos Tsitsipas, where he emerged victorious from two sets behind.
Djokovic, despite forgetting about the match during the week, recalled a gruelling battle in his post match interview with Jim Courier.
“It was really a physical, mental, emotional battle," he saidsaid.
"It always is with Stefanos. I respect him a lot. He has improved over the years. I also think he's one of the most interesting guys on the tour with his interests off the court and his hairstyle and all.
“But it's all business on Sunday for both of us. Let the better player win."
Paul was the immediate task however, and the American forced Djokovic’s hand in the opening game of the contest, amassing two break points before ultimately failing to secure it.
As it has been for more than a decade, the former World No.1 was able to pounce the very next game, breaking Paul before doing it once again as he took a commanding 5-1 lead.
Then, after boasting a set point, Djokovic failed to capitalise as the American levelled the set at 5-5, including earning one of the breaks back after winning a mesmerising 30-shot rally.
However, that was where the fun would end for the 25-year-old, as Djokovic broke from 30-0 down on Paul’s service game to clinch the opener.
The second stanza began with a rocketing start from Djokovic, who raced out to a 5-0 lead before Paul registered a score on the board, with the third eerily similar as the Serbian sent his parochial fans into raptures across Melbourne Park.
The 21-time major winner has put a tumultuous couple of days behind him with his father Srdjan posing with Putin enthusiasts following his quarterfinal win over Andrey Rublev, causing more unnecessary controversy for the polarising figure.
“I saw, as everybody else saw, what happened yesterday. It was unfortunate that the misinterpretation of what happened yesterday has escalated to such a high level,” he said.
“There was, a lot of conversations with tournament director, with media and everyone else.
“It has got to me, of course, as well. I was not aware of it till last night. Then, of course, I was not pleased to see that.
“My father, my whole family, and myself, have been through several wars during '90s.
“As my father put in a statement, we are against the war, we never will support any violence or any war. We know how devastating that is for the family, for people in any country that is going through the war.”
He went on to add that what his father said to the group was a misinterpretation of the language.
Djokovic will have a chance to add to his 373 weeks at No.1 on Sunday as for the second major in a row both combatants in the decider will have a chance to be on top of the world with victory.
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