By Shrivathsa Sridhar MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Novak Djokovic retired injured after losing the opening set of his clash with Alexander Zverev on Friday, sending the German to a first Australian Open final where he will take on defending champion Jannik Sinner for a maiden Grand Slam title.

Spectators booed an injured Novak Djokovic as he left the court in Rod Laver Arena after quitting one set into his Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev on Friday.

Novak Djokovic’s quest for a record 25th grand slam title has been cut short at the Australian Open after he stunningly retired from his semifinal match due to a left leg injury.

Jannik Sinner has overcome some third-set cramping to beat Ben Shelton 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 to return to the Australian Open final as he pursues a third Grand Slam title.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner continued his sizzling Australian Open run with a 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2 win over American 21st seed Ben Shelton to reach a second straight final at Melbourne Park and book a meeting with Alexander Zverev.

Sinner, the world No. 1 and defending champion, reached his second straight Australian Open final with a 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 semifinal victory over No. 21 Ben Shelton, the Atlanta native. The Italian improved to 15-0 against Americans in majors.

The Madison Keys who will play two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka for the title at the Australian Open on Saturday night is not the same Madison Keys who was the runner-up at the U.S. Open back in 2017,

Sabelenka will face 19th seed Madison Keys for the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, with the American having produced one of the shocks of the tournament to beat Iga Swiatek in a final-set tiebreak to secure a dramatic 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) victory.

By Shrivathsa Sridhar MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will battle American 19th seed Madison Keys in the final on Saturday looking to become the first woman since Martina Hingis from 1997-99 to win the Australian Open title three times in a row.