Djokovic to remain world No 1

– Novak Djokovic is meeting Jannik Sinner for a place in the Australian Open final today, boosted by the knowledge he cannot be toppled as world No 1 after the shock exit of Carlos Alcaraz.

The Serbian superstar will resume his march towards an 11th title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown in the afternoon session on Rod Laver Arena, again bumped from his favoured evening slot.

The 36-year-old complained about feeling “trapped” by the oppressive heat on court when he battled past Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals.

Whatever happens, he will remain world No 1.

Djokovic, Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev all began the season’s first major with a chance to depart Melbourne as the top-ranked player.

But after Alcaraz’s defeat to Alexander Zverev (right) in the quarterfinals, the Serb cannot be supplanted.

If Medvedev wins the title, he will claim Alcaraz’s world No 2 spot.

Sixth seed Zverev is through to the last-four after his upset of Alcaraz, weathering a big fightback from the Spaniard over four sets to earn a showdown with Medvedev.

He has played the Russian third seed 18 times before, and has lost five of the past six.

“A lot of matches were extremely close, obviously,” said the 26-year-old German, who is still searching for a breakthrough Grand Slam title.

“A lot of the times it came down to him being extremely confident last year, playing some of the best tennis of his life, and me coming back from injury and not having the confidence in deciding moments.

“He’s obviously extremely difficult to play. No question about it. He’s one of the best players in the world right now.”

Medvedev is into an eighth major semifinal, but has only won one title, the 2021 US Open.