Djokovic beats Paul in straight sets to face Tsitsipas in AO men’s singles final

ISTANBUL 

Novak Djokovic defeated Tommy Paul in straight sets Friday to face Stefanos Tsitsipas in Australian Open men’s singles final.

The no. 5-ranked Djokovic from Serbia won the semifinal with sets of 7-5, 6-1, and 6-2 after two hours and 20 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.

“Obviously, I won that match, so my recollections are positive, but I was 2-0 down and it was his first Grand Slam final,” Djokovic said after his win over Paul.

“It was a mental, physical and emotional battle, as it always is against Stefanos. I respect him a lot,” he added.

With the result, the 35-year-old, a record nine-time winner in Melbourne, surged into a 10th Australian Open final.

Meanwhile, Paul, 25, became the first American man to qualify for the Australian Open semifinals since Andy Roddick in 2009.

Earlier Friday, Tsitsipas, the No. 3 seed, moved to his maiden Australian Open final in men’s singles after beating 20th seed Karen Khachanov from Russia.

Djokovic will meet Tsitsipas on the court at 0830GMT on Sunday.

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