Novak Djokovic is delivering peak play nearing the summit of another major mountaintop.
Defending champion Djokovic charged into his ninth Australian Open final dismissing Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in his most dominant performance of the tournament.
Recovering from the abdominal issue he sustained in his third-round win over Taylor Fritz, Djokovic says this is the best he's felt during the Melbourne fortnight.
"I'm just very pleased with the performance," Djokovic said. "It came at the right time. Before last match in a Grand Slam, couldn't be a better timing for me to play my best tennis. But being in this situation before for many times I think helps kind of gather all the necessary elements for me to peak at the right time, which is happening again, which I'm very obviously happy about.
"I'm also happy that I have two days off now. Still recovery is the priority. Played enough tennis. I'm feeling great on the court."
The world No. 1 is playing for a record-extending ninth AO championship and an 18th major title as he tries to close the gap on 20-time Grand Slam champions Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Djokovic will play a former ATP Finals champion, either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Daniil Medvedev, in Sunday's final. Medvedev rides a 19-match winning streak, including 11 straight wins over Top 10 opponents into his semifinal vs. Tsitsipas.
Djokovic will carry the confidence and experience that comes from an 8-0 record in AO finals into the title match.
"I have felt the best that I could possibly feel tonight," Djokovic said.
A fully healthy Djokovic could prove painful proposition to either Medvedev or Tsitsipas, particularly if they engage in a draining semifinal.
"I see every experience that I have on the Grand Slam as something that I can actually draw a lot of lessons from and learn from and grow," Djokovic said. "Definitely had to stretch myself to the limit in the last five days in every sense, but I'm really pleased that in terms of injury and everything it's going in the right direction.
"So, I mean, as I said, I felt the best that I could possibly feel in the last couple of weeks here today."
Photo credit: Australian Open Facebook