Novak Djokovic says two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner is the "absolute favourite" in their Australian Open semifinal on Friday but vowed to bring his "A-game" and pull off an upset.
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The Serbian legend meets the red-hot Italian in a bumper night match on Rod Laver Arena, where he has enjoyed his greatest success, winning 10 titles.
Whoever comes out on top will meet Spanish top seed Carlos Alcaraz or German third seed Alexander Zverev in Sunday's title decider.
The 38-year-old Djokovic was gifted passage into the semifinals after Lorenzo Musetti retired hurt when in control of their last-eight clash, leading 6-4, 6-3, 1-3.
It followed a free ride through the fourth round when Jakub Mensik withdrew without a ball being hit.
Fourth seed Djokovic needs to reverse a run of five straight defeats to Sinner to make his 11th Australian Open final, having been crushed by him in last year's French Open and Wimbledon semifinals.
"He's just playing on such a high level right now, along with Carlos. They're the two best players in the world," said the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
"I mean, absolute favourite, but you never know.
"Hopefully I can deliver my A-game for that match-up because that's what's going to be needed at least to have a chance.
"I wasn't playing close to my best (against Musetti), so I'm going to have to change that around."
Djokovic has been trying to move past Margaret Court and clinch a landmark 25th major since his last one at the US Open in 2023.
It has proved increasingly difficult with the emergence of Sinner and Alcaraz, who have shared every Slam title since then.
"It's going to be a very tough match," said world No 2 Sinner, who beat Zverev in last year's final.
"We know each other quite well, so it's going to be interesting to see how we handle the situation.
"It can go well, but it also can go wrong. That's how our sport is and I don't want to put myself under extra pressure."
ALCARAZ HISTORY BID
Alcaraz is on his own mission – to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam of all four majors aged just 22. Rafael Nadal did it at 24.
He has been in ominous touch so far, but faces a tricky challenge in the form of Zverev, who is still seeking an elusive first major crown at the age of 28.
"I've watched his matches through the tournament, it was impressive the level he's been playing so far, so it's going to be a great battle," said six-time major winner Alcaraz.
"I know that he's serving pretty well. He's playing really solid and aggressive when he can in the rallies from the baseline.
"I will be well-prepared for that match, and yeah, if he wants to beat me, he has to sweat a lot."