By Paul Joseph
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (4-7), 7-5 in a gripping encounter that lasted five hours and 27 minutes, securing his spot in the final of the Australian Open for the first time.
Alcaraz had to dig deep into his physical and mental reserves to rally from a precarious position against Zverev.
After winning the first two sets and looking strong, he faced difficulties while serving at 4-4 in the third set, leading to a medical timeout that frustrated Zverev.
Alcaraz appeared to struggle as Zverev pushed the match to a deciding set.
Zverev took an early lead in the fifth set and served for the match at 5-4, but Alcaraz staged an incredible comeback.
Energized by the crowd, he broke Zverev’s serve to level the match and capitalized on Zverev’s nerves when the German served at 6-5, aiming to force a 10-point tiebreak.
Alcaraz fell to the ground in disbelief when Zverev missed a backhand, securing his place in Sunday’s final.
“I always say you have to believe in yourself no matter what,” Alcaraz remarked. “I couldn’t be here right now without these guys [the crowd].
The way you pushed me back into the match on every point is incredible.”
This victory keeps the 22-year-old’s dream of making tennis history alive—if he wins on Sunday, he will become the youngest man to achieve a career Grand Slam.
Only Novak Djokovic and Alcaraz’s physical condition stand between him and a fourth consecutive Grand Slam final against Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic, aiming for a record 25th major singles title, is set to face world number two Sinner later on Friday.
Alcaraz has demonstrated remarkable comebacks at Grand Slam tournaments, notably saving three championship points before defeating Sinner in last year’s French Open final.
However, this win, considering his physical state, is equally satisfying.
As he struggled for energy late in the fourth set, Alcaraz reminded himself, “little by little, Charly, vamos.” Even before cramping, he played with bravery, taking charge of rallies and going for powerful shots—his 78 winners compared to Zverev’s 56 highlighted his aggressive style of play.
While Zverev performed well, he failed to capitalize on crucial moments. Alcaraz could barely move at the end of the third set, yet Zverev made unforced errors on the weakened serve and rarely challenged him at the net.
Zverev had two opportunities at 0-30 on Alcaraz’s serve to force a fifth set, but both times, Alcaraz held firm, eventually sending the fourth set to a tiebreak.
Although Zverev took advantage of Alcaraz’s faltering serve in the tiebreak and again in the first game of the fifth set to gain an early break, his lead never felt secure, as he has faltered in critical moments before.
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