Australian Open 2020: Thiem edges Zverev to set up Djokovic final

by
Austrian Dominic Thiem

Dominic Thiem set up an Australian Open final showdown with Novak Djokovic courtesy of a thrilling four-set win over Alexander Zverev on Friday.

The Austrian moved into his third grand slam decider by getting past Zverev 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) in an entertaining semi-final played almost entirely under the Rod Laver Arena roof.

Thiem, 26, needed three hours and 42 minutes to overcome Zverev and reach a first major final away from the French Open.

Playing his first semi-final at a grand slam, Zverev, 22, put up a huge fight in a gruelling baseline battle in warm conditions.

However, the German fell to a seventh loss in nine meetings with his good friend Thiem, who backed up his outstanding last-eight win over world number one Rafael Nadal to set up a clash with Djokovic on Sunday.