Novak Djokovic vs Tommy Paul - LIVE: Latest updates from Australian Open men’s semi-final

Novak Djokovic is through to his 10th Australian Open final after defeating Tommy Paul in straight-sets. The nine-time champion overcame a wobble midway through the opening set to win 7-5 6-1 6-2 and set up a final against the third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Djokovic made 24 errors in the first set and looked to be frustrated at his performance but put those mistakes behind him to swiftly put the match beyond the American Paul. It came after the 35-year-old has been dragged into further controversy in Melbourne after his father was filmed posing with Vladimir Putin supporters on Wednesday.

Srdjan Djokovic has insisted he was unwittingly caught up in the pro-Russian demonstration but has decided not to attend his son’s semi-final. Djokovic is yet to comment on the incident, which followed his straight-sets victory over Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals.

Tsitsipas reached his first Australian Open final after the Greek defeated Karen Khachanov 7-6 6-4 6-7 6-3 in the earlier semi-final. Tsitsipas has been in excellent form in Melbourne and was defeated from two sets up in his only other grand slam final appearance, which came against Djokovic at the French Open in 2021.

Follow live scores and updates from the Australian Open, below.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic vs Tommy Paul

• Game, set and match! Djokovic through to 10th Australian Open final

• Djokovic races to 6-1 second set to move one step closer to 10th Australian Open final

• Djokovic wins opening set 7-5 after blowing lead and making 24 unforced errors

• Djokovic’s father releases statement after being filmed with Vladimir Putin supporters

• Djokovic looking to win 27th match in a row at Australian Open and continue bid for 10th title

• Stefanos Tsitsipas through to final after defeating Karen Khachanov in four sets

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 6-2 Tommy Paul - Game, set and match

12:01 , Jamie Braidwood

As Novak Djokovic continues to move on from the distractions, history awaits in the Australian Open final. The Serbian is through to his 10th in Melbourne and stands on the verge of joining Rafael Nadal on 22nd grand slam titles after shaking off an uncertain start to motor past Tommy Paul in straight-sets. A wobble midway through the first set was one of the few uncomfortable moments the 35-year-old has encountered on his return to Australia, which was perhaps an impact of his father Srdjan being filmed posing with Vladimir Putin supporters on Wednesday.

After overcoming a hamstring injury and his smooth progress past Alex De Minaur and Andrey Rublev, it was a rare obstacle for Djokovic to face. Srdjan, who said he unwittingly caught up in the pro-Russian demonstration, was absent from his box and in the opening stages against Paul, Djokovic cut a frustrated and irritated figure. Edgy and wide-eyed. Djokovic blew a 5-1 lead in the first set among an avalanche of unforced errors, offering Paul a leg-up into what was the first grand slam semi-final of the 25-year-old’s career.

It would have been an encouraging sight for Stefanos Tsitsipas, the in-form and confident Greek who awaits in Sunday’s final, but what followed was a further example of why Djokovic maintains an unbeaten record in Australian Open semi-finals. From 5-5 in the first set, Djokovic tightened his game and returned to his steely best. He rattled off 12 games out of the next 13 to leave Paul in the dust, finding his unerring serves and destructive winners. The American was not playing badly but Djokovic’s opponents are often at their most vulnerable when they are offered a glimmer of hope, as the Serbian closed his fist on the match.

Novak Djokovic overcomes wobble to cruise into 10th Australian Open final

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 6-2 Tommy Paul - Game, set and match

11:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic on his energy levels: “It’s great, and perfect and 100 per cent. Yeah - we’ll see against Stefanos in two days! Of course you are not as fresh as at the beginning of the tournament but we put in a lot of of hours in the off season. I know what’s expected and I have been in so many positions in my career.

“It’s a great battle, with yourself and the opponent. Long rallies and you could feel the heavy legs in the first set but I was fortunate to hold my nerves. After that I was swinging through the ball more and I am just pleased to get through another final.”

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 6-2 Tommy Paul - Game, set and match

11:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic: “It’s always a battle with Stefanos, mentally, physically. Let’s bring it on. Winning grand slams and being number 1 in the world is the two biggest peaks as a tennis player. Let’s see what happens.”

The winner on Sunday will reach the top spot in the rankings.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 6-2 Tommy Paul - Game, set and match

11:13 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic: “I was able to hold to my nerve at the end of the first set. That was really key, I was then able to swing a bit more. I’m happy to get through to another final.

“I’m trying to cherish every moment.”

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 6-2 Tommy Paul - Game, set and match

11:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Paul looks resigned to his fate but still chases after a couple of sensational angled volleys from Djokovic.

Three match points: Paul goes long on the return! There’s an embrace at the net and Djokovic will face Tsitsipas on Sunday for a TENTH Australian Open title.

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 5-2 Tommy Paul

11:04 , Jamie Braidwood

Paul forces Djokovic to serve it out, but got a bit of a break after Djokovic sent a rare return long. The Serbian is a game away from a 10th Australian Open final.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 5-1 Tommy Paul*

10:58 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic takes a long stare at a spectator in the crowd before getting to work on a service hold to love, firing three winners in a row onto the lines. Just an insane level.

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 4-1 Tommy Paul

10:54 , Jamie Braidwood

Paul avoids the bagel, always a nice feeling, but it’s unlikely to disrupt Djokovic’s charge towards the final.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 4-0 Tommy Paul*

10:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Paul gets a look at break point but Djokovic quickly closes the door. Paul has had nine break point opportunities in the match, but Djokovic has won seven of them.

That’s 12 of 13 games.

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 3-0 Tommy Paul

10:44 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic is moving closer. He whips a stunning return winner past Paul on 15-15, then draws two errors from the American to get the double break. That’s 11 of the last 12 games.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 2-0 Tommy Paul*

10:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Quite a comfortable hold for Djokovic, who is reaching his best level now into the third set. Can Paul hang on?

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 1-0 Tommy Paul

10:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Paul nets on a backhand at 30-30, after Djokovic pounces on the return. The American really can’t afford to drop serve again here.

Paul moves in well to save the first on the volley, and is then forced to save another with a smash from midcourt.

Djokovic produces the backhand lob over Paul, bringing up another break point. After Djokovic snaps a return on the line, Paul goes long.

He is broken on the opening game for the third time

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-1 Tommy Paul* - Djokovic wins the second set

10:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic take the second set after improving every element of his game following the wobble of the first set. He coughed up just six unforced errors and has taken off to leave Paul in the dust. It’s a long way back for the American now.

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 7-5 5-1 Tommy Paul

10:18 , Jamie Braidwood

Paul stops the run with a couple of fine winners from the back of the court. Djokovic has only made four unforced errors this set, so Paul is needing to find his own way through now. Djokovic will serve for the second serve next.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 7-5 5-0 Tommy Paul*

10:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic holds to love and suddenly it’s seven games in a row.

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 7-5 4-0 Tommy Paul - Djokovic breaks

10:12 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic has truly broken out of his funk now. From 5-5 in the first, the Serbian wins six games in row and now has a double break in the second. Once again, every point is a struggled for Paul. Djokovic is back to finding the angles he needs and the American nets on the forehand side after an admirable attempt to stay in the rally.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 7-5 3-0 Tommy Paul*

10:06 , Jamie Braidwood

What a strange game, again! Djokovic looks shaky as Paul forces three more break points, only to find his serve just in time in order to deny the American. Djokovic needed to survive a 19-shot rally before Paul almost slams his racket at hitting a slice into the net.

Djokovic puts on the power from the baseline and Paul nets on the backhand side. Another chance missed and Paul can’t have realistically asked for more so far.

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 7-5 2-0 Tommy Paul - Djokovic breaks

09:56 , Jamie Braidwood

Just like in the opening set, Djokovic breaks Paul in the opening game of the set. The Serbian has cut out the errors and Paul is again having to scrap for his life in every point. The pressure tells as the American misses on the forehand side.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 7-5 1-0 Tommy Paul*

09:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic races to the opening hold. He had that look in his eye as he broke Paul to win the first set...

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 7-5 Tommy Paul - Djokovic wins the opening set

09:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Paul gets to 30-0 behind his fastest serve of the match so far but then blinks on a forehand into the net. Djokovic then shows great defence to force the next error from Paul, and get back to 30-30.

Another error from Paul, this time skewing a forehand long, and Djokovic gets a look at set point. Djokovic locks in, steadies, and draws the error from Paul. He points to his ear as he takes the opening set, but that was far from straightforward.

He hit 12 winners to 24 unforced errors - more than in the entire match against Rublev!

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-5 Tommy Paul*

09:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic stops the rot by holding serve to love. His serve was back there, and it makes such a difference as he can hit the lines out wide and open up the court from there.

Paul will serve to stay in the set for the third time.

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 5-5 Tommy Paul

09:37 , Jamie Braidwood

What a remarkable turnaround this is. Paul is now playing with confidence, Djokovic is edgy and frustrated. Paul moves in well to put away a backhand volley and level the set.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 5-4 Tommy Paul* - Paul breaks!

09:33 , Jamie Braidwood

Double fault from Djokovic on the opening point. Then Djokovic nets on the backhand! Djokovic then goes long as he lets fly on a forehand from the baseline - his 20th error of the set - and suddenly Paul has two break points!

Ace from Djokovic on the first.

Outstanding from Paul on the second! The American holds his own on a 30-shot rally, as Djokovic goes long on the forehand!

It’s back-to-back breaks for Paul, and the American has dragged himself back into this!

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 5-3 Tommy Paul

09:28 , Jamie Braidwood

The errors continue to flow from Djokovic’s racket, and Paul holds to love! The American has forced Djokovic to serve this out again, and the Rod Laver Crowd have responded to his efforts.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 5-2 Tommy Paul* - Paul breaks!

09:24 , Jamie Braidwood

It does not take long for Djokovic to get a look at set point as he looks to serve this out, but it’s not taken as he slumps a forehand into the net. Strangely, that’s his 16th unforced error of the set so far, and it’s followed by Djokovic receiving a warning from the umpire as he took his time at the back of the court.

On deuce, Paul steps into a backhand winner down the line. Break point! And Djokovic misses again on the backhand! Paul gets a break of serve and Djokovic looks irritated.

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 5-1 Tommy Paul

09:18 , Jamie Braidwood

Paul wins his best point of the match with an angled volley at the net, but Djokovic is unrelenting. On 30-30, he takes over the point with brutal hitting to the Paul backhand before putting away the smash.

Chance for a double break: and Djokovic gets it as Paul fires long on the backhand. The American is unable to live with Djokovic in the baseline rallies. This really is a different level.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 4-1 Tommy Paul*

09:11 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic looks up to his box in exasperation after a further error leads to 0-30 for Paul on serve. He digs himself out of it as Paul goes long on the forehand on Djokovic slams an ace right onto the outside line.

He then lands another serve out wide before putting the forehand away with unerring accuracy.

Djokovic thinks he’s found the second-serve ace on the inside line, but it just lands out. On deuce, he guides the backhand winner down the line.

Paul misses on the backhand side as Djokovic holds, but he still looks pretty grumpy as he takes his seat on the bench.

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 3-1 Tommy Paul

09:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Paul gets on the scoreboard, and that should help his confidence. He lands a couple of first serves and is able to stretch Djokovic by getting on the front foot with his forehand. Djokovic fires long and Paul’s first hold is greeted warmly by the crowd.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 3-0 Tommy Paul*

09:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic runs around a backhand and unleashes a fearsome winner down the line. Paul is struggling with the depth of his attacks and Djokovic swiftly takes the hold. The Serbian is back up to speed after a slow start.

Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 2-0 Tommy Paul - Djokovic breaks!

08:56 , Jamie Braidwood

Paul is faced with his first look at the Djokovic return, and it forces him into an early hole at 0-30. Djokovic then clips the netcord, as Paul pushes a backhand long.

Three break points: and Paul nets on the second with a backhand. Djokovic takes his chance.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 1-0 Tommy Paul*

08:53 , Jamie Braidwood

Ace from Djokovic out wide.

Ace from Djokovic down the middle.

He saves a couple of break points and gets on the board, but that was a chance for Paul. Djokovic does not often give away so many errors on serve.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 0-0 Tommy Paul*

08:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Paul attacks the return on the opening point but nets. Djokovic then makes a rare unforced error with a smash into the net.

It’s followed by another, as Djokovic nets on the backhand side. Paul leads and has a look at 15-30.

But Djokovic finds his first serve, Paul this time skidding the return into the bottom of the net.

Double fault from Djokovic! And Paul does get a look at a break point. Djokovic dismisses it with a serve followed by a forehand winner.

Paul fires long on the first baseline rally but then Djokovic makes the same error on the ad-side.

And Djokovic nets again on the backhand stretch! Djokovic is looking so sloppy to start with, and Paul has another break point chance.

Djokovic rejects it once more with the ace out wide.

*Denotes next server

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic vs Tommy Paul

08:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic will serve first on what is his first career meeting with Tommy Paul, who is ranked 35 in the world but is set to break into the top 20.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic vs Tommy Paul

08:38 , Jamie Braidwood

Here come the players. Paul is out first, on what is his first ever grand slam semi-final, with Djokovic next onto court. You could not have picked to players with more contrasting levels of experience on this stage. Djokovic is nine for nine in Australian Open semi-finals.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic vs Tommy Paul

08:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic has not been limited by his hamstring in the past two victories over Alex De Minaur and Andrey Rublev, which has sent an ominous warning to the rest of the tournament.

Djokovic’s leg looked to his only weakness in the opening week but he has not required any medical timeouts in his last two matches. That said, the 35-year-old is still wearing lots of strapping.

Australian Open 2023

08:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic on facing Tommy Paul: “I know how he plays. I never faced him on the court. He’s been around for a few years. I watched him play quite a bit, especially during this tournament. He’s been playing probably tennis of his life. Very explosive, very dynamic player. Quick, very solid backhand. Likes to step in, dictate the point with the forehand. Great, great service motion. I think he can hit all the spots with the serve. Very complete player. He’s got the coach that has been around with some top players for many years. First semifinals for him, so of course he doesn’t have much to lose. I’m sure he’s going to go out trying to play his best tennis.”

Australian Open 2023

08:11 , Jamie Braidwood

Tommy Paul on the challenge of facing Novak Djokovic: “I saw him in the locker room after I finished my match. He said congrats. I think we have practiced before. I mean, I’m sure we practiced before. But, yeah, we never played a match against each other. Obviously he’s pretty comfortable here in Australia. It’s going to be a challenging match. But I’m playing some of my best tennis, so it’s a good time.

On carrying the US hopes at a grand slam and being the first American to reach the Australian Open semi-finals since Andy Roddick: “It’s important to me. American tennis is, since I was young, that’s all we’ve been hearing, since like 14 years old. The coaches have been telling us, We need new Americans, we need new Americans.

“It’s kind of engraved in my head. We all want to perform. Obviously Frances [Tiafoe] was pretty damn close at US Open to getting past the semis. Who knows what would have happened in the finals. Yeah, I mean, I think we all want it pretty bad for ourselves, but we want it for US tennis, too.”

Australian Open 2023

08:01 , Jamie Braidwood

Vasyl Myroshnychenko, the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, tweeted in response to the Vladimir Putin supporters who appeared at the Australian Open: “It’s a full package. Among the Serbian flags, there is: a Russian flag, Putin, Z-symbol, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic flag. It’s such a disgrace…”

Australian Open 2023

07:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Srdjan Djokovic’s encounter with the group while he was leaving the Rod Laver Arena has led to a statement from Tennis Australia. It said: “A small group of people displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards following a match on Wednesday night and were evicted. One patron is now assisting police with unrelated matters.

“Players and their teams have been briefed and reminded of the event policy regarding flags and symbols and to avoid any situation that has the potential to disrupt. We continue to work closely with event security and law enforcement agencies.”

Russian flags have been banned from the tournament since one appeared in the crowd during the match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova last week.

Russian and Belarusian players were banned from competing at Wimbledon last summer following the invasion of Ukraine but they are allowed to play at the other three grand slams and on the men’s and women’s professional tours under a neutral flag.

Australian Open 2023

07:36 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic’s father has insisted he was unwittingly caught up in a pro-Russian demonstration at the Australian Open but has decided not to attend his son’s semi-final against Tommy Paul.

A video on a Russian activist’s YouTube channel emerged on Thursday showing Srdjan Djokovic standing with a man holding a Russian flag with Vladimir Putin’s face on it and wearing a t-shit bearing the Z symbol that demonstrates support for the war in Ukraine.

In a statement released by the tennis star’s representatives, Mr Djokovic senior said: “I am here to support my son only. I had no intention of causing such headlines or disruption.

“I was outside with Novak’s fans as I have done after all of my son’s matches to celebrate his wins and take pictures with them. I had no intention of being caught up in this.

“My family has lived through the horror of war, and we wish only for peace. So there is no disruption to tonight’s semi-final for my son or for the other player, I have chosen to watch from home. I wish for a great match and I will be cheering for my son, as always.”

Australian Open 2023: Stefanos Tsitsipas defeats Karen Khachanov

07:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame a third-set wobble to defeat Karen Khachanov and reach his first Australian Open final.

The third seed has been a man on a mission all fortnight, troubled only by Jannik Sinner in the fourth round until now, and he looked set to cruise into the final as he stepped up to serve for a straight-sets victory.

But Russian Khachanov clung on, breaking Tsitsipas and then saving two match points in the third-set tie-break before the Greek eventually clinched a 7-6 (1) 6-4 6-7 (6) 6-3 victory.

Tsitsipas had reached the last four in three of the last four years at Melbourne Park without going further, losing in 2019 to Rafael Nadal and in 2021 and 2022 to Daniil Medvedev.

He was not to be denied this time, though, and will now aim to go one better than his only previous slam final at the French Open in 2021, when he led Novak Djokovic by two sets to one but was eventually beaten.

Report by Eleanor Crooks

Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Karen Khachanov to reach first Australian Open final

Australian Open

07:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Tommy Paul is faced with the challenge of defeating Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open - a feat no one has managed to do since the Serbian won his first on nine titles here 15 years ago.

Djokovic was in stunning form against Andrey Rublev and Alex De Minaur and said he wanted to send a message to his rivals: “Playing against two guys that are really good players, in-form players, to beat them dominantly in three sets, is definitely something that I want in this moment, something that sends a message to all my opponents remaining in the draw.

“With this kind of game, of course the confidence level rises. I feel good on the court, better and better as the tournament progresses. I’ve been in this situation so many times in my life, in my career, never lost a semi-finals in (the) Australian Open. Hopefully that will stay the same.”

Australian Open 2023

07:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic admitted his travails in Australia are giving him extra fuel as he chases a 10th title at Melbourne Park.

The Serbian was again in superb form, painting the lines consistently in a 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory over fifth seed Andrey Rublev on Rod Laver Arena to set up a semi-final with unseeded American Tommy Paul.

Djokovic, who has never lost at the Australian Open once he has reached the last four, is trying to make up for lost time after last year’s vaccination furore and deportation, while this year he has been battling a left hamstring problem.

“I don’t think that I lack determination,” said Djokovic, who tied the record of former coach Andre Agassi with a 26th consecutive victory here. I always try to give my best, particularly in grand slams, because at this stage of my career those are the tournaments that count the most, of course.

“But you could say that there is something extra this year, yeah. You could say because (of) the injury, what happened last year. I just wanted to really do well. So far I have a perfect score in Australian hard courts, in Adelaide and here. I’ve been playing better and better. I couldn’t ask for a better situation to be in at the moment.”

Novak Djokovic reveals source of motivation: ‘There’s something extra this year’

Australian Open 2023: Game, set and match!

07:07 , Jamie Braidwood

Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to his first Australian Open final! The Greek sees off the challenge of Karen Khachanov in what was an impressive performance.

Tsitsipas missed two match points in the third set tiebreak but responded well to race away with the fourth set, with his aggressive play key to a 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 win.

After three semi-final defeats in Melbourne, he has finally broken through.

Australian Open 2023

07:05 , Jamie Braidwood

How to watch the Australian Open 2023

You can watch the Australian Open live on Eurosport in the UK. The action will be broadcast on Eurosport’s TV channels, or fans can tune into Discovery+ to stream the tournament, where an Entertainment & Sport pass is available for either £6.99/month or £59.99/year.

Sky has also announced that starting today, Discovery+ will be available at no extra cost for Sky customers, including for Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers.

If you’re not already a Sky customer, you can get a Sky Stream box, which comes with Sky TV and a Netflix basic plan. The device is currently discounted in Sky’s winter sale (was £26 per month, now £24 per month, Sky.com). This is Sky’s new device, and doesn’t require a satellite dish as it streams Sky directly over wifi.

Order of play - Friday 27th January

From 08:30 GMT

Novak Djokovic vs Tommy Paul

Good morning

07:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Follow live updates from the Australian Open men’s semi-finals as Novak Djokovic faces Tommy Paul. Djokovic is the strong favourite to reach Sunday’s final - where the winner will play Stefanos Tsitsipas or Karen Khachanov - and the Serbian has won all nine of his previous semi-final appearances in Melbourne. American Paul, meanwhile, is contesting in his first ever grand slam semi-final.

Djokovic has been in supreme form as he continues his bid for a 10th Australian Open and 22nd grand slam title, but the 35-year-old has been dragged into further controversy in Melbourne after his father was filmed posing with Vladimir Putin supporters on Wednesday.

Srdjan Djokovic has insisted he was unwittingly caught up in the pro-Russian demonstration but has decided not to attend his son’s semi-final. Djokovic is yet to comment on the incident, which followed his straight-sets victory over Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals.