Updated: January 27, 2012, 9:00 AM ET
MELBOURNE, Australia — Defending champion Novak Djokovic has moved into an Australian Open final against Rafael Nadal after edging Andy Murray in a five-set, almost five-hour semifinal late Friday night.
Wilansky: Djokovic, Murray Deliver Classic
It simply was one of those matches you won’t soon forget, a nearly five-hour, cat-and-mouse war of attrition, ESPN.com’s Matt Wilansky writes. Blog
Despite appearing tired and sore from the second set, Djokovic rallied to beat Murray 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 7-5 in a rematch of the 2011 final at Melbourne Park to reach his third consecutive Grand Slam final.
The 24-year-old Serb finished last year at No. 1 after winning three of the four majors, with his only loss at a Grand Slam coming against Roger Federer in the French Open semifinals.
He beat Nadal in six tournament finals last year.
Nadal, the 2009 Australian Open winner, beat four-time champion Federer to advance.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
