In one of the most grueling matches in Australian Open history, world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 in the men’s semifinals on Friday. The epic clash lasted 5 hours and 27 minutes, leaving the 22-year-old Spaniard collapsing in exhaustion on Rod Laver Arena’s center court.
Alcaraz, who raced to a two-set lead, suddenly grappled with severe cramps in his right leg during the third set. His movement faltered, allowing the third-seeded German to claw back into the contest, leveling it at two sets apiece after tense tiebreaks. Zverev dominated much of the decider, holding a break lead for most of the set, but Alcaraz’s sheer resilience shone through.
Displaying the mental fortitude of a six-time Grand Slam champion, Alcaraz steadied himself under immense pressure. He improved his mobility in the fifth set, outlasting a fatiguing Zverev to secure what he called one of his career’s finest victories. Now, Alcaraz awaits either defending champion Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic, the 24-time major winner, in Sunday’s final.
The match’s turning point came at 4-4 in the third set when Alcaraz called for a medical timeout, irking Zverev who argued cramps shouldn’t warrant such a break. Undeterred, Alcaraz battled on, fending off Zverev’s aggressive returns and drop shots that had earlier swung momentum. Zverev had started strongly, breaking Alcaraz to take the first set, but the Spaniard’s tiebreak wizardry in the second kept him ahead.
This triumph marks Alcaraz’s unbeaten record in five-setters after leading two sets to love intact. Fans witnessed pure tennis drama in Melbourne Park, underscoring why Alcaraz is the sport’s brightest young star. The final promises another blockbuster as the top half of the draw converges.