Novak Djokovic edged an epic five-set semi-final tussle with Andy Murray at the Australian Open to set up a final clash with Rafael Nadal (Djokovic 4/6, Nadal 5/4 – Match betting).

The Serbian defending champion ran out a 6-3 3-6 6-7 (4/7) 6-1 7-5 winner in Melbourne on Friday after falling two sets to one down despite taking the opener against the British number one.

Djokovic was also broken to love when serving for the match at 5-3 up in the final set before saving three break points and going on to break the Scot to book his final appearance.

The gruelling encounter lasted for almost five hours but for Murray the key statistic is that his wait to break his Grand Slam duck goes on.

Afterwards Djokovic revealed that the match had taken a lot out of him as he looks to retain his title by beating Spanish hope Nadal.

The world number one said: “It was evidently a physical match, it was one of the best matches I have played, emotionally and physically it.”

Meanwhile, Victoria Azarenka is an 8/11 favourite to beat Maria Sharapova (11/10) in the women’s final on the Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.