Novak Djokovic takes on Lucas Pouille for first time with a spot in the Australian Open final at stake

They’ve been sparring partners on many occasions on the practice courts, but now Novak Djokovic and Lucas Pouille meet for the first time on the main stage where there will no room for niceties.

There’s still room for firsts at the top.

Six-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic and fellow semi-finalist Lucas Pouille have faced one another countless times on the practice court but there will be no room for niceties on Friday as they fight for a spot in Sunday night’s final.

WHY WOMEN SHOULDN’T COACH MEN?

DAY 11: FOLLOW ALL TODAY’S OPEN ACTION LIVE

INCREDIBLE CHOKE: WHAT WENT WRONG FOR SERENA

DANGEROUS HEAT ACTIVATES STRESS POLICY

“It’s funny that we’re going to play first time against each other,” Djokovic said.

“We’ve practised many times. We’ve known each other obviously for a long time. Here we go. We’ll see.

“It’s the semi-finals. We both, I’m sure, want to get to the finals. Hopefully we can both be fresh and fit and put on the great show.”

Djokovic has not dropped a set so far this tournament, with quarter-final opponent Kei Nishikori withdrawing midway through the second set of their clash due to injury.

Before the Australian Open, Pouille had not won a match since October. He had never won a match at the season-opening grand slam.

Novak Djokovic says Lucas Pouille deserves to be definitely in the top 15, maybe top 10 of the world.

But Djokovic said he is wary of what the Frenchman can produce.

“I always thought he’s a great quality player,” he said.

“I mean, what he has done this tournament is fantastic. He has won against some top players. Of course Milos (Raonic), (Borna) Coric in the last round. He struggled a little bit with consistency of his results in the last two years.

Amelie Mauresmo (centre) celebrates Lucas Pouille’s win over Canada's Milos Raonic.

“But with the quality of the tennis that he possesses, he deserves to be definitely at the top 15, maybe top 10 of the world. He’s got that quality and potential, no question about it.”

Pouille, 24, said he had made a conscious effort not to be disheartened by his poor results and was now reaping the reward.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic hits a return against Japan's Kei Nishikori.

“We kept working hard after all the matches I lost in the Hopman Cup and in Sydney,” he said.

“I went back on court straight after, and decided to take it step by step and gave all I have on every single point, and here I am.”

He admitted that last year, he had “lost a bit of joy to be on the court” and that he “didn’t want to live in tournament” but that a new team — including coach Amelie Mauresmo — had given him a new lease on life as he looks to achieve what has been “a lot of first times this week” as he embarks on his first grand slam semi-final.

“I started a new adventure with my team, with Amelie, with Loïc (Courteau),” he said.

“I think that was the great thing for me. I want to practice. I enjoy being on the court again. That’s the most important.”