Australian Open 2019 results: Novak Djokovic strolls into meeting with Rafael Nadal in final

Djokovic beat France’s Lucas Pouille 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 victory in just 83 minutes

No two men in the modern game have played each other as frequently as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who will renew their rivalry for the 53rd time when they meet here on Sunday in the final of the Australian Open.

Just as Nadal had done 24 hours earlier, Djokovic pummelled one of the sport’s young pretenders into submission, beating France’s Lucas Pouille 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 victory in just 83 minutes. The second semi-final was 23 minutes quicker than the first, in which Nadal beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-4, 6-0.

It was Djokovic’s tenth consecutive victory in a Grand Slam semi-final and extended his record of never having lost in a semi-final here. The world No 1 has also gone on to win the final after all six of his previous semi-finals in Melbourne. He will become the first man in history to win this title seven times if he beats his old rival on Sunday.

While Nadal has reached the final without dropping a set, there have been times – particularly against Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round – when Djokovic has struggled. In his last two matches, however, the 31-year-old Serb has dropped only six games, Kei Nishikori having retired hurt in the second set of their semi-final.

Poor Pouille had nowhere to hide. The 24-year-old Frenchman, playing in his first Grand Slam semi-final, was swept aside by Djokovic’s relentless accuracy. The Wimbledon and US Open champion made only five unforced errors in the match and was on top from the moment he hit an ace on the opening point.

Djokovic broke Pouille at the first attempt when the world No 31 double-faulted on break point and within 23 minutes the Serb had the first set in the bag. In the second game of the second set Pouille finally got on the board - to one of the biggest cheers of the night - but normal service was quickly resumed two games later as the Frenchman double-faulted on break point once again.

Having taken the second set with his fifth break of serve, Djokovic made his sixth to go 3-1 up in the third set. Serving at 2-5, Pouille saved Djokovic’s first match point but netted a backhand on the second.

“He just played amazing,” Pouille said afterwards. “He was too good today. When he’s playing like this he’s the best in the world for sure.”

Djokovic said: “It’s definitely one of the best matches I’ve ever played on this court. Everything worked the way I imagined it before the match - and even more so. It was a tough one for Lucas but he had a great tournament.”

Djokovic will meet Nadal in the final (AFP/Getty Images)

Many of the previous 52 matches between Djokovic and Nadal have been very long and very close. Their most recent meeting was at Wimbledon last summer, when Djokovic won 10-8 in the final set after five hours and 15 minutes.

Their only meeting at this tournament was in the 2012 final, when Djokovic won in five sets after five hours and 53 minutes. It remains the longest Grand Slam final ever played.

“That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and hopefully the outcome can be the same for me,” Djokovic said as he looked ahead to his 24thGrand Slam final.