Djokovic locks up No. 1 spot ahead of Australian Open final shootout

MELBOURNE – Novak Djokovic meets Jannik Sinner for a place in the Australian Open final on Friday, boosted by the knowledge he cannot be toppled as World No. 1 after the shock exit of Carlos Alcaraz.

The Serbian superstar will resume his march toward an 11th title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown in the afternoon session on Rod Laver Arena, again bumped from his favored evening slot.

The 36-year-old complained about feeling "trapped" by the oppressive heat on court when he battled past Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals as the temperatures topped 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit).

It is forecast to be about 10 degrees cooler on Friday, and Djokovic is determined to keep intact his 33-match unbeaten streak at Melbourne Park stretching back to 2018.

He did not compete at the event in 2022 due to his coronavirus vaccination status.

"I'm aware of the streak that I'm on and the amount of matches that I have won in my career on the Rod Laver Arena. I don't want to let that go," he said.

"The longer the streak goes, the more that kind of confidence, also expectations built, but also the willingness to really walk the extra mile, so to say."

Whatever happens, he will remain world number one.

Djokovic, Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev all began the season's first major with a chance to depart Melbourne as the top-ranked player.

But after Alcaraz's defeat to Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals, the Serb cannot be supplanted.

If Medvedev wins the title, he will claim Alcaraz's World No. 2 spot.

Italian fourth seed Sinner is in the form of his life and will take comfort from beating Djokovic at the ATP Finals and Davis Cup late last season.

"This is what I practice for, to play against the best players in the world," said the 22-year-old, who is targeting a maiden Grand Slam title.

"Obviously has an incredible record here, so for me it's a pleasure to play against him, especially in the final stages of the tournament where things are a little bit more interesting.

"I'm looking forward to it, to be honest. It's going to be tough."

Sixth seed Zverev is through to the last four after his upset of Alcaraz, weathering a big fightback from the Spaniard over four sets to