MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic reached a fifth Australian Open final, avenged a long and arduous loss to Stan Wawrinka and ensured he’d renew an old rivalry with Andy Murray.
The top-ranked Djokovic was so absorbed in the moment, he lost track of the score during Friday’s semi-final. His mental lapse after the third set probably cost him the fourth, but the four-time Australian Open champion recovered with three service breaks in the fifth set to beat defending champion Wawrinka 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0.
“Sometimes these things happen, you get carried away by a moment,” Djokovic said, trying to explain his perplexed expression after he’ taken a lead of two sets to one. “I was very confused when I saw the security on the court.
“The circumstances, obviously playing Grand Slam semi-finals against the defending champion … a lot of emotions going around. Sometimes you can’t keep track of the score.”
Djokovic has a 100 per cent winning record in finals at Melbourne Park, claiming his first Grand Slam here in 2008 and winning three straight titles from 2011 before losing in the quarter-finals last year to Wawrinka. Only Roger Federer and Stefan Edberg had reached five men’s finals at the Australian in the Open era.
Meanwhile, Murray is restoring his position in the so-called Big Four of major winners that includes Djokovic, No. 2 Federer and No. 3 Rafael Nadal, who dominated the Grand Slam titles for so long.
Sixth-seeded Murray, who has lost three Australian Open finals, moved into the championship match with a fiery four-set win 6-7 (6), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 over No. 7 Tomas Berdych on Thursday night.
Djokovic has beaten Murray in seven of their last eight matches and is 15-8 overall, but they’re level in Grand Slam finals with two wins apiece – Djokovic in Australia in 2011 and ‘13 and Murray at the 2012 U.S. Open and Wimbledon in 2013.
And then there’s the question of fitness, and whether Djokovic can rebound quickly and with one less day to prepare.
Top-ranked Serena Williams had to re-schedule a practice session ahead of Saturday’s women’s final against No. 2 Maria Sharapova.
“I’ve been sick with a cold all week, and I got better, then I got worse the morning,” said Williams, who has won 15 in a row against Sharapova, has won all five Australian Open finals she has contested and is chasing a 19th major title.
She was feeling well enough to return to the practice court in the afternoon.
