Novak Djokovic breaks record for longest men’s winning streak at Australian Open in Open Era

Record-breaking news: Novak Djokovic now has the standalone longest Australian Open winning streak for a man in the Open Era, after recording his 27th win in a row at the first major of the year on Friday night with a 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 victory over American Tommy Paul.

He went into the match tied for the record with Andre Agassi.

LONGEST MEN’S WIN STREAKS AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN IN OPEN ERA:

• 27: Novak Djokovic [2019 to 2023, still going]
• 26: Andre Agassi [2000 to 2004 SFs, l. to Safin]
• 25: Novak Djokovic [2011 to 2014 QFs, l. to Wawrinka]
• 20: Ivan Lendl [1989 to 1991 F, l. to Becker]
• 19: Roger Federer [2006 to 2008 SFs, l. to Djokovic]

Djokovic made a blistering start to the match, breaking Paul in his opening service game for a 2-0 lead, and eventually building a 5-1, double-break lead, even holding a set point in that game. Paul was just getting started, though—he broke back for 5-2, held to make it 5-3, got the second break back to make it 5-4 then held for 5-all.

But the match turned on a dime from there, as Djokovic held for 6-5 and broke for the set, and eventually won 14 of the last 17 games of the match to run away with a two-hour, 20-minute victory.

The nine-time Australian Open champion was asked afterwards where he felt his energy level is at this late stage of the tournament.

“It’s great. It’s perfect. It’s 110 percent,” he said with a smile.

“No, look, of course you’re not as fresh as at the beginning of the tournament, that’s for sure, but we put in a lot of hours throughout the off-season weeks, in our fitness and on the tennis court, a lot of work in order to be in a good enough condition to play best of five.

“I know what’s expected of me—I’ve been in this situation so many times before in my career. And I think experience helps also. But on the court, moment to moment, point to point, it’s a great battle, first of all with yourself, and then with the opponent. You don’t have much time between points. Some long rallies, you could really feel them.

“We both had heavy legs, I think, in the first set, but I was really fortunate to kind of hold my nerves towards the end of the first set. It was a key. After that I started swinging through the ball more. So I’m just really pleased to get through to another final.”

Djokovic is now a win away from his 10th Australian Open title. He already holds the record for most for a man in history.

He’s also a win away from the 22nd Grand Slam title of his career, which would tie Rafael Nadal for the all-time men’s record.

Standing between Djokovic and the title will be Stefanos Tsitsipas, who battled past Karen Khachanov in the first semifinal of the day.

Djokovic leads Tsitsipas in their head-to-head, 10-2, winning their last nine in a row. But their only two career meetings at Grand Slams both went to five sets, with Djokovic claiming a 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1 win in the 2020 Roland Garros semifinals and a come-from-behind 6-7 (6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win in the 2021 Roland Garros final.

Djokovic was asked his thoughts on that final in Paris two years ago.

“Well I won that match, so my recollections are very positive!” he replied. “But I was two sets to love down, and I think it was the first time I came back from two sets to love down in a Grand Slam final. It was also his first Grand Slam final. It was a really physical, mental, emotional battle. It always is with Stefanos.

“I respect him a lot. He has improved over the years. I actually think he’s one of the most interesting guys on the tour, with his interests off the court, and his hairstyle and all! But it’s all business on Sunday for both of us—let the better player win.”

The winner of Sunday’s final will also be No. 1 come Monday.