Novak Djokovic vs Tommy Paul result, highlights as the Serbian goes for a record 10th Australian Open trophy

Novak Djokovic has set up an Australian Open final date with third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas after powering through America's Tommy Paul 7-5 6-1 6-2 on Friday night.

The Serbian was his clinical, dominant self, putting any injury doubts to bed as he vies for a record-breaking 10th Australian Open trophy.

Djokovic was in the driver's seat for the whole night and was hitting the ball extremely well, sending a message to his opponent on Sunday night.

Unfortunately for Paul, his tournament comes to an end at the hands of the 21-time Grand Slam winner.

The 25-year-old was admirable in his efforts, fighting back multiple breaks to even things up in the first but in the end, wasn't up to the level.

The Sporting News provides live score updates, highlights and commentary for the match below.

Tommy Paul vs Novak Djokovic final score

*denotes server

Novak Djokovic vs Tommy Paul live blog, updates, highlights

Third set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 6-2 Paul

• 15-0: Incredible defence from Paul but a fatigued forehand finds the net. Very admirable. 
• 30-0: Djokovic rushed to the net, forcing a wayward forehand by the American.
• 40-0: A serve-and-volley routine from the 35-year-old sets up three match points.
• Game, set, match Djokovic: Big first serve does it for the champion. He's off to his 10th Australian Open final, facing third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
• The match duration was two hours and 20 minutes.

Third set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 5-2 Paul

• 0-15: Paul's backhand goes out, missing only just.
• 15-15: Wayward shot from Novak. He knew straight away, saying "oh no!" 
• 30-15: Ace. 169km/h out wide from the American.
• 40-15: Big forehand from Paul does enough to cause an error.
• 40-30: The Serbian steps in and goes whack down the line. Another forehand winner. Picked up the second serve early.
• Game, Paul: The American finally holds on despite some excellent defence from Djokovic. He'll attempt to serve out the match.

Third set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 5-1 Paul

• 15-0: Awesome forehand cross court beats Paul's racquet.
• 30-0: Ace. 184km/h down the middle. His 12th of the night.
• 40-0: Backhand cross court this time, catches the line for another winner. No.29 for Djokovic.
• Game, Djokovic: The Serbian is really starting to turn it on. Very easy hold and finished off with another winner.

Third set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 4-1 Paul

• 15-0: Attempted backhand winner just misses, with Paul claiming the first point.
• 30-0: Deja vu. Backhand from the 'Joker' goes wide again.
• 30-15: Excellent return serve from the Serbian, sets up an easy smash at the net. Was careful to avoid touching it.
• 40-15: Djokovic return serve causes a close call camera, barely missing.
• 40-30: Really on top of Paul. Forcing him around all areas of the court. A shot from the youngster goes long.
• Game, Paul: The American is on the board in the third set, holding after a shot gone past the baseline.

Third set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 4-0 Paul

• 15-0: Djokovic's ground strokes just proving too good for Paul. Another long shot by the American.
• 15-15: Double fault from Novak. His fifth for the night.
• 30-15: The 25-year-old's return hits the KIA sign, losing the point.
• 30-30: A backhand goes long from Djokovic, squares things up.
• 30-40: Great cross-court forehand from Paul helps set up a break point chance. 
• 40-40: Vintage Djokovic. Backhand down the line too good. 
• Adv Djokovic: Paul's forehand goes long. Finding it hard to remain consistent.
• Game, Djokovic: The champion holds serve.

Third set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 3-0 Paul

• 0-15: Paul's backhand goes long. Needs to tighten up here or this could be over quickly.
• 15-15: Djokovic attempts to step up to the second serve but goes long.
• 15-30: An amazing forehand return from the Serbian, causing a few ooos in the crowd.
• 15-40: Really on top of Paul at the moment, with the youngster struggling to keep the ball alive. Two break point chances.
• Game, Djokovic: Paul's slice just goes long and is now down two sets and two breaks. Hard to come back from here you'd think.

Third set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 2-0 Paul

• 15-0: Djokovic is just too good. Paul rushed to the net for a drop-shot but was outplayed by a misdirection from the champion.
• 30-0: Big first serve forces a long forehand from the American.
• 40-0: Another cheeky drop-shot from the Serbian, resulting in a return volley winner. Good hustle from Paul.
• 40-15: The speed off the 25-year-old's return was enough to cause a mistake.
• Game, Djokovic: Forehand gone long from Paul. The champ consolidates the break.

Third set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 1-0 Paul

• 15-0: Change of shirt for Novak but the forehand goes long. 
• 15-15: Excellent shot making from the Serbian. A strong forehand cross court forces a wayward shot.
• 30-15: Just reached for that a little too much Djokovic. Forehand finds the net.
• 30-30: Paul's backhand goes long, just.
• 30-40: Weak backhand finds the net. Early break point chance for the Serbian.
• 40-40: Great save from Paul. Working the champ around the court until an opening at the net, put away by a nice volley.
• Adv Djokovic: The 35-year-old is really hitting the ball sweet. Great hustle from Paul but to no avail. Reaching forehand goes past the baseline.
• 40-40: Another great rally by the American. Finished off with a smash. Saves another break point.
• Adv Djokovic: Can't teach that. A superb lob from Djokovic. Nothing Paul could do but admire.
• Game, Djokovic: Another early break sets the tone. Djokovic really wanting to finish this off quickly.

Second set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 6-1 Paul

• 15-0: The champ wants to close out the second set. Begins things with a big first serve, setting up an easy forehand.
• 15-15: An easy miss from Djokovic. Should've put the forehand away but found the net.
• 30-15: All class from the Serbian. A brilliant forehand winner to Paul's backhand side.
• 30-30: Entertaining rally. It had everything. Paul's defence was second to none and a drop shot from Djokovic failed to make it over to the other side.
• 40-30: 185km/h second serve startled the American, forcing an error. Set point.
• Game, set, Djokovic: The champ is all over Paul, manipulating points and hotting the right spots. Djokovic takes the second set in 36 minutes.

Second set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 5-1 Paul

• 15-0: Beautiful backhand down the line from Paul. Nothing the 'Joker' could do about that.
• 15-15: Cop that. A backhand winner from Djokovic off a 198km/h first serve. Anything you can do I can do better says the champ.
• 30-15: Return goes past the baseline.
• 40-15: A backhand slice as a winner. Rare to see those, but the American just pulled one off. Creative shot.
• 40-30: Fans are being treated here. Novak off the second serve smacks a forehand winner back at Paul.
• Game, Paul: The American is on the board. 

Second set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 5-0 Paul

• 15-0: Big first serve forces a wide forehand from Paul.
• 30-0: Another big serve. 198km/h causes a miss from the receiver.
• 40-0: Ace. Excellent serving from the champion. 
• Game, Djokovic: Easy hold for the 35-year-old. Four big serves solidifies the double break.

Second set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 4-0 Paul

• 0-15: Paul's forehand finds the net. 
• 0-30: The American's backhand finds the net. Djokovic with a little opening.
• 15-30: Great defence from the 25-year-old, managing to keep the ball in until a Djokovic miss.
• 30-30: Forehand winner for Paul. His 12th of the evening.
• 30-40: Break point for the Serbian following a long forehand from the youngster.
• Game, Djokovic: The champion scores a double break. Too many errors from Paul.

Second set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 3-0 Paul

• 15-0: Paul trying to keep up with the 21-time Grand Slam winner but a wayward backhand during a rally goes wide.
• 15-15: Responds well, forcing an Djokovic to hit the KIA sign on the wrong side of the net.
• 15-30: Excellent net play from Paul. Reaching for a forehand volley and finding the open court. That'll get him up and about.
• 30-30: Ace. 197km/h down the tee. Not much you can do about that.
• 30-40: Double fault. Interesting from the 'Joker' there. 191km/h second serve finds the net. Brings up a break point for Paul.
• 40-40: Great defence again from Djokovic. Avoids Paul breaking.
• Adv Paul: A backhand from the champ hits the tape, setting up an easy winner for the American. Another break chance.
• 40-40: Terrific rally from both players. But the more experienced Djokovic prevents yet another break chance for his opponent.
• Adv Paul: Wayward backhand from Djokovic .The youngster won't die trying. Continues to give himself an opportunity. Just needs to convert.
• 40-40: Ace. The champion delivers time and time again.
• Adv Djokovic: A backhand slice from Paul just doesn't make it over the net. 
• Game, Djokovic: The Serbian holds on after saving three break points. Paul must convert if he's any chance of an upset.

Second set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 2-0 Paul

• 15-0: Big first serve from Paul forces an error.
• 15-15: The American tried to overdo and his forehand found the net.
• 15-30: Paul just missing the baseline, with the close-call camera popping up around the court.
• 15-40: Good shot-making from Djokovic as a backhand down-the-line misses from Paul. Two break points for the champ.
• 30-40: Djokovic tried to end the point early with a drop-shot. Didn't work as Paul punishes the mistake. One break point saved.
• Game, Djokovic: The champ consolidates and gets an early break in the second set, his fourth of the evening.

Second set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 1-0 Paul

• 15-0: An attempted lob from Paul goes straight up, landing on his side of the net.
• 30-0: Djokovic started to play more aggressive, the way he started the match. The American couldn't keep the ball alive.
• 40-0: Forehand gone long from Paul. 
• 40-15: The crowd just frustrating the 'Joker' a bit. An attempted backhand winner goes very wide.
• Game, Djokovic: A big forehand winner down the line to hold serve. 

During the set break, a member of the crowd proposes, getting on one knee and asking for his girlfriend's hand in marriage. Congratulations.

First set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 7-5 Paul

• 15-0: Great defence from Djokovic but an effective smash from Paul ends the point.
• 30-0: Ace: 212km/h out wide. That was fast. Barely saw the ball.
• 30-15: Too soft on the backhand there from the American, hits the net.
• 30-30: Another great defensive effort from the Serbian, although this time he was rewarded with the point. Missed forehand from Paul.
• 30-40: Wayward forehand brings up 'Joker' set point. 
• Game, set, Djokovic: After letting Paul back into the set, the champ finally locks down the first set in 59 minutes.

First set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 6-5 Paul

• 15-0: Ace. 176km/h. Djokovic needs easy points at the moment.
• 30-0: Big first serve again. Forces Paul to miss.
• 40-0: Kick-serve from the Serbian causes an errant backhand from the American.
• Game, Djokovic: Finally, the champ breaks the trend with an easy service game.

First set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 5-5 Paul

• 15-15: Djokovic just seeming off at the moment. Finding difficulty to hit most his shots. Very unlike him.
• 30-0: Another error from the Serbian. The pressure is getting to him.
• 40-0: Ace. 205km/h down the tee from Paul. Has settled nicely into the evening.
• 40-15: A bit overzealous on the backhand, goes long from the American.
• Game, Paul: Four games in a row for the youngster. Proving to be more difficult than most imagined.

First set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 5-4 Paul

• 0-15: Double fault. Djokovic's third for the night. Unlike the 21-time Grand Slam winner.
• 0-30: The Serbian just seems in his head at the minute. Needs to refocus. Backhand catches the net again. 20th unforced error so far to 13.
• 15-30: Big first serve brings back some normality.
• 15-40: Long forehand from Djokovic brings up two break points. Paul is finding his range.
• 30-40: Ace. Exactly what the doctor ordered. 178km/h out wide.
• Game, Paul: Best rally of the game so far. Djokovic just goes long to put things back on serve. Great fightback from the American

First set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 5-3 Paul

• 15-0: Big first serve out wide forces Djokovic error.
• 30-0: Paul backs it up with a massive forehand winner. Crowd getting behind the American.
• 40-0: Some spectators seem to be getting to the champ. His backhand hits the net.
• Game, Paul: Big first serve as the American has started to settle into the match. Strong hold.

First set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 5-2 Paul

• 15-0: Great stroke play from both but a wayward forehand from Paul.
• 30-0: Ace. Djokovic keen to close out the first set.
• 30-15: A miss from the champion.
• 30-30: Djokovic with an opportunity but unfortunately catches the tape and goes long.
• 40-30: Ace. 203km/h to bring up a set point.
• 40-40: Great defence from Paul with his back against the wall. A forehand miss from Djokovic.
• The Serbian approaches the umpire to put an end to the unnecessary crowd noise.
• Adv Paul: Blocking the crowd noise out, the youngster whips a backhand winner down the line to bring up his first break point of the evening.
• Game, Paul: Djokovic gives up a service game with an errant backhand. Paul's cool head gives him a look into how to beat the champion.

First set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 5-1 Paul

• 0-15: Paul's forehand catches the tape but unfortunately goes wide.
• 15-15: Dropshot meets dropshot. Impressive tennis from the American.
• 15-30: The American's forehand hits the frame and goes wide.
• 30-30: Kickserve from the youngster catches the champ off guard, forces an error.
• 30-40: Another break chance for Djokovic.
• Game, Djokovic: An error from the youngster puts him in strife for the first set.

First set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 4-1 Paul

• 0-15: Djokovic goes wide with the backhand.
• 0-30: Opportunity for Paul as Novak makes another backhand error.
• 15-30: Paul misses a huge chance with a unforced forehand error.
• 30-30: Ace for Novak.
• 40-30: The fourth seed clubs a forehand winner.
• 40-40: Double fault for the Serbian.
• Adv Djokovic: Clean backhand winner for Novak.
• Game Djokovic: A Paul error allows Djokovic to hold serve.

First set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 3-1 Paul

• 15-0: Djokovic makes an unforced error.
• 15-15: The veteran forces Paul into a mistake.
• 30-15: Big ace for the American.
• 30-30: But he follows it up with an unforced backhand error.
• 40-30: Djokovic nets.
• Game Paul: The US talent is on the board. Finally. That might settle his nerves.

First set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 3-0 Paul

• 0-15: Djokovic hits it out.
• 15-15: Paul mimics the champion with a forehand error.
• 30-15: The Serbian steps up and hits a striking forehand winner.
• 40-15: The young American hitting it out a fair bit, struggling to deal with the early pressure.
• Game, Djokovic: Paul hits it out, again.

First set, Paul to serve, Djokovic 2-0 Paul

• 0-15: Paul forehand error. 
• 0-30: The American fails to keep it in with his backhand.
• 0-40: Another backhand error from Paul.
• 15-40: Djokovic's turn to hit it out.
• Game, Djokovic: The Serbian gets the early break.

First set, Djokovic to serve, Djokovic 1-0 Paul

• 15-0: Unreturned serve from Paul to kick things off.
• 15-15: A smash from Djokovic catches the net.
• 15-30: A rare backhand fails to get over the net from the Serbian. Positive start from the American.
• 30-30: First serve forces an error. Squares things up.
• 30-40: Uncharacteristic double fault from the champion. Brings up a break point chance for Paul.
• 40-40: Big first serve in response. Forehand winner from the 35-year-old.
• Adv Djokovic: Shot from Paul flies past the baseline.
• 40-40: The 21-time Grand Slam winner is struggling to find his range early. Backhand goes long.
• Adv Paul: Early-game jitters getting to Djokovic. Another backhand hits the net.
• 40-40: First serve squares things up again.
• Adv Djokovic: Ace. 166km/h out wide.
• Game: Ace. 193km/h up the middle. Seven minute game.

7:44pm AEDT: Djokovic to serve first. Starting imminently.

7:42pm AEDT: Or will the nine-time Australian Open winner head to another final for a chance to add more trophies to the cabinet?

7:41pm AEDT: Can the unheralded American Tommy Paul cause one of the biggest upsets in sport?

7:40pm AEDT: Both players are warming up on the court. 

7:30pm AEDT: Players are close to coming out onto the court. Looks like there won't be an empty seat in the house tonight. 

Pre-match: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the Australian Open semi-final match between Novak Djokovic and Tommy Paul from Rod Laver Arena.

Novak Djokovic vs Tommy Paul head-to-head results

This will be the first time that Djokovic and Paul have played each other. 

MORE: Australian Open schedule 2023: Full draws, TV coverage, channels & how to watch every tennis match

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Australia: The Nine Network is the free-to-air broadcaster of the Australian Open 2023.

The Australian Open can also be watched on SmartTV's 9Now and Stan Sport as well as 9Gem.

Fans can also stream the Australian Open through 9Now and Stan Sport.

UK: Coverage of the Australian Open 2023 will be broadcast in the UK live and exclusively on Eurosport.

Eurosport 1 and 2 will provide daily coverage of the action in Melbourne.

UK fans can also stream the Australian Open through the discovery+ app, the Eurosport app, or through eurosport.co.uk

USA: Tennis fans based in the United States will be able to watch this year's Australian Open via ESPN. Matches will be broadcast on both ESPN and ESPN2.

ESPN+ and fuboTV will both offer live streaming during the 2023 Australian Open. FuboTV offers a free trial.

Canada: The 2023 Australian Open will be broadcast in Canada by TSN.

Matches will be shown on either TSN1 or TSN5.

Canadian fans are able to live stream the action from Melbourne Park on TSN+.

The full TSN+ broadcast schedule can be accessed here.