Boris Becker tells Alexander Zverev not to fall for Novak Djokovic's tricks

Those are Becker's tips for Zverev ahead of his semi-final match against Djokovic at the Australian Open on Friday.

Djokovic and Zverev will meet for a 13th time in top-level tennis and the former has a dominant record as he leads their head-to-head 8-4 with five of those wins coming on outdoor hard courts.

To make Zverev's task even more difficult, Djokovic appears to have a new lease of life after many had suggested he is heading for retirement.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner has been back to his best at Melbourne Park as he produced a vintage display against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-final, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

Djokovic has seen it all at Rod Laver Arena as he has won 10 out of 10 semi-finals and 10 out of 10 finals at the Australian Open.

There has been a lot of talk recently around Djokovic potentially faking injury to put his opponents off. He struggled against Alcaraz, but John McEnroe warned that his rivals should "not be fooled" and he went on to win that match.

Becker urged Zverev to stick to his own strengths "whatever his opponents".

"Novak has been through it all," the six-time Grand Slam winner told Eurosport.

"No one has played more Grand Slam matches, no one has won more Grand Slams. He really has experienced everything you can experience on the tennis court.

"Sascha has to stick to his game and show his strengths - his serve, his baseline strokes and his fitness. He mustn't let himself be put off his game, whatever his opponent does."

Zverev is looking to reach his maiden showpiece match at the season-opening Grand Slam and tennis great Becker believes, besides the usual luck, Zverev will need to have a good game plan if he is to beat the former world No 1.

"It takes a lot of courage to go where he's never been before - to the final of the Australian Open," he said.

"Then, of course, a bit of luck, hitting the line or getting a good decision from the umpire. That's also part of it. And decisiveness, being ready for the big day.

"If the match goes on for a long time, Djokovic is no longer quite as strong as he was two or three years ago. Sascha Zverev is known for his physical strength - he's sometimes called the marathon man because he's had to go over five sets so often. The question is how the first sets will end.

"Sascha is playing a bit more offensively this year, closer to the baseline. That starts with his serve, but also has to include the return.

"It's important for the match against Djokovic that he sets the pace and takes the initiative. Because if Djokovic lets you run, then you have no chance."

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