World number one and defending champion Jannik Sinner beat American Ben Shelton 7-6, 6-2, 6-2 in Melbourne on Friday to reach the final of the Australian Open.
The 23-year-old Italian will face Alexander Zverev in the final.
The German progressed after tennis great Novak Djokovic pulled out of their semi-final injured after losing the first set.
Sinner did not have the best of starts, losing his serve in the first game.
He had to saved two set points on Shelton's serve before taking the first set in a tie break but looked to have got the measure of the big-serving American after that.
"I am delighted to be back in the final at the Australian Open.
I came in a bit tense. I'm happy with the way I handled my emotions," Sinner said.
"I'm so happy to have another chance to fight for the title. The season is long, let's try to make a great start.
"We had some very tough matches in the past," said Sinner of Zverev.
"Everything can happen. He's an incredible player, looking for his first major. "There's going to be again a lot of tension but I'm happy to have put myself in this position."
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