Djokovic Warms Up For Nadal Showdown With Pouille Thrashing - (2026)

World number one Novak Djokovic feels sympathy for Lucas Pouille for being on the end of his “best” performance at an Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic looked at his imperious best as he set up a mouth-watering Australian Open final against Rafael Nadal by swatting Lucas Pouille aside.

The top seed was near-flawless en route to recording a 6-0 6-2 6-2 victory over the 28th seed, needing just an hour and 23 minutes to book his place in his 24th Grand Slam final.

The 31-year-old made just five unforced errors and hit 29 winners, while he also broke his French opponent seven times to give a clear demonstration that he is back to his best Down Under having not made it beyond the fourth round the two previous years.

Djokovic is now the 8/11 favourite to claim a seventh Australian Open title on Sunday, while Nadal is 11/10 to become the first man in the Open era to claim a second career Grand Slam.

“It’s definitely one of the best matches I ever had on this court. Everything worked the way I’d imagined it and even more so. Tough one for Lucas but he had a great tournament and I wish him all the best for the rest of the season,” said Djokovic.

Both Djokovic and Nadal made light work of their semi-final opponents to set up a 53rd career meeting, with the current world No.1 leading the head-to-head 27-25.

One of Djokovic’s 27 victories came the last time the duo – who have 31 Grand Slam titles between them – faced off in the 2012 Australian Open final.

Djokovic needed five hours and 53 minutes to see off the Spaniard on that occasion and he is expecting another high-quality encounter.

Recalling their meeting in Melbourne seven years ago, he said: “I would definitely buy the ticket for that match. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Hopefully the outcome can be the same for me.”

Nadal has been rampant Down Under thus far, not dropping a set en route to the final, while he hasn’t had his serve broken in 63 consecutive games (Nadal 3-0 9/2 – Set Betting).

Odds subject to change.