World number one, 31 year-old Novak Djokovic, will bid to win a record seventh Australian Open title when he renews his rivalry with 32 year-old Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, in Sunday’s Grand Slam final.
Djokovic brushed aside France’s Lucas Pouille 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 in the second semi-final of the tournament to advance to the final.
Step right up! Come see the amazing Nole ?♂️
Novak Djokovic hit five total unforced errors in a dominate 6-0 6-2 6-2 performance over Lucas Pouille to reach the #AusOpen Final: https://t.co/DoPC9JlWe2#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/LExFHgU19C
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2019
Pouille fought back from a double break point down in the second game of the opening set at the Rod Laver Arena. However, Djokovic got a third opportunity to break after winning the next point with a sublime forehand down the line. The World number one then broke Pouille and consolidated the break by winning his service game to take a 3-0 lead.
The 28th ranked Pouille wasn’t offering any resistance with Djokovic winning the next two games to inch closer to wrapping up the set. Pouille was let down by too many unforced errors with the Serb going one-set up when the Frenchman’s forehand went long on a set-point.
A break of serve in the fourth game of the second set saw Djokovic race to a 3-1 lead. Djokovic then tightened his grip on the contest when he won his service game to extend his lead. Leading 5-2 with a set point, Djokovic took a two-sets to 0 lead when Pouille’s backhand went wide. The third set took the pattern of the second. Djokovic broke Pouille in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead when the Frenchman netted a forehand. The contest was over in an hour and 23 minutes with Djokovic recording a clinical victory when the 24-year old Pouille netted a backhand on match point.
There’s no place on the court he can’t cover.@DjokerNole finds the line on a brilliant forehand for the @cpaaustralia Shot of the Day.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qYtvlWcM9Q
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2019
Djokovic on the other hand, made just five unforced errors the whole match. An epic final is on the cards against Nadal, whom the Serb beat seven years ago in a match that lasted five hours and 53 minutes, the longest Grand Slam final ever.
“Slightly different rules this year with the super tie break, I don’t think we would go that long hopefully the outcome can be the same for me,” Novak Djokovic said.
The win over Pouille was the 10th consecutive Grand Slam semi-final victory for the 14-time Grand Slam champion.
“Make sure you win.” ?@DjokerNole‘s four-year-old son Stefan’s advice to his dad before he takes to the court. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/3gcMMezu5S
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2019
