Zverev to play Australian Open final after Djokovic's withdrawal
The Serbian tennis player was forced to drop out due to injury after losing the first set and was booed by the crowd. The German will seek his first Grand Slam crown.
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Djokovic in the semifinals of the Australian Open
(AFP) Serbian Novak Djokovic, winner of 24 Grand Slams, withdrew due to injury Friday after losing the first set of the Australian Open semifinal against Germany's Alexander Zverev, who will contest Sunday's final.
The 37-year-old legend, a 10-time champion in Melbourne, took to the court with a wrap on his left leg, which he had injured in Wednesday's quarterfinal against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz.
But just after dropping the first set, 7-6 (7/5), Djokovic approached the German to tell him he could not continue and shortly left the court to boos from part of the crowd.
The world No. 2, who asked fans to respect his rival, will thus contest his first final in Melbourne.
For an hour and 20 minutes, both players fought an intense battle, in which "Nole" had to save five break points to take Zverev to a tiebreak.
In a very even tie break, the Serb sent a volley into the net and thus handed the first set to the German.
At 27, Zverev will try on Sunday to prove that "the third time's the charm" after Grand Slam finals losses at the U.S. Open (2020) and French Open (2024).
Zverev-Sinner: final of the Australian Open 2025
The reigning Australian Open champion, ATP No. 1 Jannik Sinner, qualified for the final on Friday by defeating American Ben Shelton - No. 20 - and will play for the title against Zverev.
Sinner, 23, who also won the US Open in 2024, beat Shelton 7-6, 6-2, 6-2.
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