Melbourne: Novak Djokovic retired injured after losing the first set 7-6(5) against Alex Zverev to put the German through to his first Australian Open final.

Zverev will meet the winner of the Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton match in Sunday’s decider as he bids for his first Grand Slam title. Novak Djokovic’s long wait for a record 25th major title will go on, a year after he exited Melbourne Park with a semi-final loss to Sinner. There were doubts about his fitness ahead of the match and he came out at Rod Laver Arena with his left thigh strapped.  “He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear, won this tournament with a hamstring injury. “So please show some respect.”