As it happened Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic seals victory over Tommy Paul, will play Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final

Jim Courier also asked Novak Djokovic about his long career.

“It was on this date 15 years ago, on this court, you won your first title. Would you have imagined 15 years later you would be going 22nd major title? For your 10th Australian Open?”

“I have a pretty vivid and strong imagination, but I don’t think I could imagine things this way. What can I say? That’s all I can say. I’m super blessed and grateful. I marvel and cherish every moment. Without my family, my team, things wouldn’t be possible. It’s an individual sport, all eyes are on you, by yourself.

“You take responsibility. You take the credit as well. But I think we have to give credit where credit is due and that’s to my team, who are with me through my good and bad. This is their success and I thank them for their support.”

Novak Djokovic spoke to Jim Courier post-match.

“Your fans. You just spent some extra moments there, taking some towels to them. Just thanking them. What does their support mean to you out here?”

“It means everything. Especially at this stage of my career, you know. I need that energy. I’m really thankful that I still have enough gas, you know, in my legs to be able to play at this level on one of the biggest tennis courts in the world.”

“Where is your energy level compared to how you would like it to be at this stage of a tournament?”

“It’s great. It’s perfect. It is 110!”

“Give us the real answer.”

“No, of course, you’re not as fresh as at the beginning of the tournament, that’s for sure. We put a lot of work off-season on our fitness to be in good enough condition to go on the tennis court to play five sets. I know what’s expected of me. I have been in this situation so many times before in my career. Experience helps also.”

Novak Djokovic has kept his perfect record in Australian Open semi-finals with a straight-sets win over Tommy Paul tonight.

The nine-time Open champion will face off against Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s final.

Djokovic will be playing in his 10th final for his 10th title.

Djokovic was far from his best but still had the measure of the American, who was in his first grand slam semi-final – and it showed.

Djokovic won 7-5, 6-1, 6-2.

He pumped his fists, saluted the crowd and patted the Rod Laver Arena court on which he continues to have so much success.

Djokovic has held his serve to go 5-1 up in the third set.

Paul is serving to stay in the match.

Earlier today, Kia Arena was a sea of colour for the Australian Open’s Pride Day.

On court was the tournament’s “Glam Slam” where celebrities and sporting champions put their skills with a racquet to the test.

Among those squaring off were former AFL player and coach Danielle Laidley, Adelaide United soccer player Josh Cavallo, Australian tennis legend Rennae Stubbs, and former Cypriot star Marcos Baghdatis, who Stefanos Tsitsipas today referenced as an inspiration.

The fun and games also included roller derby dancers, roaming drag kings and queens, and LGBTI music performers.

Djokovic is up 7-5, 6-1, 3-0 and sprinting towards a place in the final.

He will serve next game and could be very soon celebrating victory.

Paul is in career-best form, but Djokovic is levels above him, even with his lingering hamstring issue.

Djokovic has yet again broken Paul’s serve to start the third set.

Paul battled back and had Djokovic run through some rallies but it mattered not, his service game has let him down badly in this semi-final.

Djokovic leads 7-5, 6-1, 1-0 with Djokovic to serve.

There was a short delay due to someone being unwell in the stands. Now they are back on court.

The Djokovic v Paul semi-final has brought out some political big guns with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US ambassador Caroline Kennedy sitting together in the VIP seats.

Billionaire Bill Gates is also in the crowd again – he was also courtside last night.