MELBOURNE, Australia

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has beaten defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka in five sets in the Australian Open semi-final.

The Association of Tennis Professionals, or ATP, number one ranked player prevailed in a thrilling five-setter, 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 to advance to the final.

After winning the first set tie-break, Djokovic lost the second to the Swiss and almost lost control of the third before taking the two-set to one lead.

Wawrinka’s fourth set win only delayed the inevitable as the Serb pulverized him in the fifth, 6-0.  

The final between British Andy Murray and Djokovic will take place on Sunday.

The Australian Open is the first of the four major Grand Slam tournaments of the year.