FINAL BOUND

Novak Djokovic is through another Grand Slam final. The Serbian defeated one of his biggest rivals, Roger Federer, in straight sets by 7-6(1), 6-4 and 6-3. The 1st set was a rollercoaster of emotions. The Swiss, who many said that he wouldn’t show up due to recent injury problems, came out guns blazing on the 1st set. He started the match with a 2-0 lead, but that’s where the break exchange started, with Novak breaking right away for the 2-1. Roger quickly responded after losing his service game, breaking Novak’s serve for the 2nd time. At 4-1 happened the most critical game of the set and possibly the match. With Djokovic serving to settle the score at 4-2, the 38-year-old started with a 0-40 lead, granting him three break points to go up a double break and most likely secure an important 1-0 set lead. Things went quietly after Novak saved those breakpoints and closed the game, and it was time for Roger to close it out with his serve at 5-4. Unexpectedly, he didn’t even win a single point on his service game, letting the Serbian get back into the set, as he was broken at “love”. Djokovic had two more chances to break his opponent service, but the set ended up going into a tiebreak where the 32-year-old would dominate entirely, winning it 7-1. After the 1st set, it was hard imagining Federer coming back, especially the way it went down, as he had numerous opportunities to gain the lead, and that’s exactly what it happened. Novak gained total control of the match, never letting Roger have the opportunity of breaking his service again, closing the remaining sets by 6-4 and 6-3 to earn his 8th Australian final.

UNBEATEABLE IN THE LATTER STAGES

It’s usually said that Melbourne is Novak Djokovic favourite playground, as he turns into an even more dominant player there. The only player who stood up to him and actually beat him when he was at his absolute best was Stan Wawrinka in 2014, as both played one of the most iconic matches of the decade. One amazing statistic about the Serbian is that he’s invincible when he reaches the Semi-Finals or the Final at the Australian Open, with a 15-0 overall record, looking to make it 16-0 on Sunday. The other Semi-Final opposes Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem. Does any of these players have a chance of beating the multi Grand Slam winner at Rod Laver Arena? The main arena of the Australian Open is starting to look like what Philippe Chatrier looks for Rafael Nadal at the French Open. It gives Djokovic an aura of invincibility that is hard to deny. The player looks even more motivated this year due to the passing of the late great Kobe Bryant, a friend and a mentor to him, that has helped him multiple times throughout his amazing career. The NextGen has an opportunity to finally leave their mark on a Grand Slam, but with the way Novak’s playing, it’s looking like a big mountain to climb.