Are we in for another Carlos Alcaraz vs. Janik Sinner Grand Slam final, or will Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev be spoilers and ruin the party?

Are the stars working hard for Djokovic to win more honors?

Fortune is smiling on the 10-time Australian Open champion, with the 38-year-old now just two wins away from a record-breaking 25th career Grand Slam title.

But his familiar foe, two-time defending champion Sinner, stands in the way of his first Grand Slam final since Wimbledon in 2024.

There is no doubt that Djokovic came to Melbourne with only one goal: to create history! cementing his reputation as the most decorated tennis player of all time.

The Serbian admitted he was “lucky this time” to continue playing, having trailed fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-3 in Wednesday’s quarter-finals before the 23-year-old Italian withdrew in the third set with a right leg injury. This came after a loss in the fourth round. He hasn’t won a set since the third round.

But Sinner is also counting his luck. He was on the verge of a third-round exit when he cramped and fell on a break in the third set against No. 85 Eliot Spizzirri. He didn’t get a breather until the “hot summer policy” was activated, delaying the closure of the roof for eight minutes, completely reversing the momentum.

Sinner is on a 19-match winning streak at Melbourne Park and the 24-year-old Italian leads 6-4 in their head-to-head meetings with Djokovic, including wins in their last five matches.

The sequence includes the 2024 Australian Open, last year’s French Open and the semi-finals of Wimbledon.

“It improves you as a player and as a person,” Sinner said of his match against Djokovic. “We’re still lucky that Novak is still playing incredible tennis at his age.

“I’m lucky to have a guy like him in front of me and hopefully I can learn something. I feel like every day, every time he plays, I learn something about him.”

Asked at the press conference about the various eras from when he started chasing rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to now chasing Alcaraz and Sinner, Djokovic responded that it would be disrespectful not to mention “the 15 years I spent dominating the Grand Slams” – “To be honest, I don’t feel like I’m chasing,” he said. “I’m making my own history.”

‘I think this is too much for Djokovic’

Six-time Grand Slam semifinalist Tim Henman said on TNT Sports:

“When Djokovic reached his fourth Grand Slam semi-final last year, he was tired because he was playing a lot of tennis.

“This time, yes, he had blisters on his feet but he didn’t play a lot of tennis so you have to think his energy level was the best it’s been in 12 months.

“However, his level of play and attitude are very average. Unless things change significantly tomorrow, I think Sinner will let him down.”

“Sinner’s movement right now is absolutely phenomenal. He’s using his core strength on defense to counterattack.

“I think it’s too far for Djokovic. Sinner is 15 years younger and that’s the biggest challenge. Djokovic is not at the same level right now. I think Sinner will definitely come out on top.”

‘Djokovic needs career performance to win title’

Doubles expert Jamie Murray said: “What we can see from this is that Djokovic didn’t perform very well (against Musetti). But now these semi-finals are what he continues to play tennis for. Trying to beat Sinner and Alcaraz and win another Grand Slam final.

“Novak can play a diverse game, but the difficulty is his rhythm. He basically stands on the baseline and moves left and right.

“In this case, the ball was fast and it didn’t slow down when Sinner hit it, that’s for sure.

“I think Djokovic needs a career performance to win the title, but I don’t know he has it.”

Alcaraz is aiming to become the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam – winning all four majors.

There is still a big obstacle ahead, with Alexander Zverev next and likely his arch-rival Yannik Sinner in the final, but Alcaraz’s progress so far has been impressive and the Spaniard is yet to drop a set.

“I’m very happy with my performance every game,” Alcaraz said. “I’m improving my level every match, which makes me very happy. (My team) told me after the first match to be patient. Today I felt really comfortable playing good tennis.”

When facing Zverev again, the Spaniard said: “I saw Sasha throughout the match and I knew he was playing great. I have to be ready.”

“We trained a week before the match and he played such good tennis and beat me 7-6. It’s going to be a great fight. I’m really looking forward to playing him again here and getting revenge.”

Their career head-to-head record is 6-6, with each winning two Grand Slam titles.

The German is reaching his 10th Grand Slam semi-final and is seeking a third final and second consecutive final in Melbourne, but he has won just one of 14 games against his top five opponents at the Grand Slam.

Zverev, last year’s runner-up in Melbourne, said: “As far as I’m concerned, I’m still chasing the Grand Slam I want. Of course, I still want to achieve that goal, but I also want to enjoy my tennis. Now I’m doing that.”

Watch ATP and WTA Tour matches live on Sky Sports or Live with NOW and Sky Sports Appthis year Sky Sports customers can watch more than 50% of live sports events for free. Learn more here.