Alexander Zverev into Australian Open final as Djokovic retires

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MELBOURNE, Australia -- Novak Djokovic retired injured after losing the first set 7-6 (5) against Alexander Zverev on Friday to put the German through to his first Australian Open final.

Zverev will meet the winner of the Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton match in Sunday's decider as he bids for his first Grand Slam title.

Djokovic's long wait for a record 25th major title will go on, a year after he exited Melbourne Park with a semi-final loss to Sinner.

There were doubts about his fitness ahead of the match and he came out at Rod Laver Arena with his left thigh strapped.

But there was little indication Djokovic was struggling until late in the set when he noticeably began…