MELBOURNE - Novak Djokovic will look to rise above the drama that has engulfed him at Melbourne Park and claim a record-extending 10th Australian Open title on Sunday in a generational clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
A year after being deported from Australia on the eve of the Grand Slam for refusing Covid-19 vaccination, he has battled a hamstring strain, heckling spectators and a media storm over his father mixing with fans toting banned Russian flags.
In handling everything within his control, though, the Serb has been supreme.
His dominant semi-final victory over American Tommy Paul on Friday stretched his winning streak at the event to a record 27 in the professional era, eclipsing Andre Agassi's 26-match run between 2000 and 2004.
Never beaten at Melbourne Park after reaching the semis, the fourth seed is rated as an unbackable favourite to triumph again under the floodlights at Rod Laver Arena.
Despite that, the final presents possibly the best match-up fans could have hoped for following the early exit of injured champion Rafael Nadal.
It offers a rematch of the dramatic 2021 French Open final, in which Djokovic came back from two sets down to snatch the title and leave Greek Tsitsipas heartbroken.
This story is from the January 29, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the January 29, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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