World No.1 Novak Djokovic has said he has the mental edge over Rafael Nadal to carry him to the Australian Open crown.

Djokovic faced a "physical crisis" to reach Sunday night's final.

The world No.1 overcame breathing difficulties and severe fatigue beat Andy Murray in an exhausting five-set semi-final that finished in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Djokovic admitted to having consulted doctors in a desperate bid to diagnose his mystery "allergy" and was only hoping - rather than expecting - to be ready for his record-setting title showdown with Nadal.

For the first time in open-era history, the same two men will contest three consecutive grand slam finals after Djokovic denied Nadal in four-set deciders at Wimbledon and the US Open last year, The Herald Sun reports. (ANI)