Nole is into the Australian Open final! After recording his 27th win in a row in Melbourne on Friday night, the Serbian ace has the longest Australian Open winning streak in the Open Era.
Fourth seed Novak Djokovic is only one win away from lifting the Australian Open trophy for a record-extending 10th time, following a 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 victory over world no.35 Tommy Paul in the Rod Laver Arena evening session.
Novak stormed to a 5-1 lead breaking his rival twice, but the unseeded American won four straight games to recover from a double-break deficit and get back into the first set. Djokovic regained his focus and composure, and with his powerful game earned himself a decisive break in the 12th game to claim the opener.
From there it was smooth sailing for the 35-year-old Belgrade native. He broke twice in each of the next two sets to secure triumph after two hours and 20 minutes of play, serving out the match to love.
“I was really fortunate to hold my nerve towards the end of the first set,” Djokovic said. “It was a key. After that I started swinging through the ball more, so I’m just really pleased to get through to another final. This is exactly what I hoped for to happen, to fight for another Australian Open. Experience helps, it’s a confidence booster that I never lost a final, but the match has to be won on the court.”
Match statistics: aces (12-4), double faults (5-0), winners (31-8), unforced errors (39-32), total points won (100-68).
On Sunday, Novak will play his seventh straight match under the lights on Melbourne’s main stage.
The 21-time Grand Slam titlist will face Stefanos Tsitsipas for a 13th time in their careers, when they meet for the Championship trophy and the World no.1 spot!
The third-seeded Greek defeated Russian Karen Khachanov 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3.
Photo: AP
