Tennis fans were glued to their seats as Carlos Alcaraz battled back from the brink to topple Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 in a semifinal that redefined endurance at the Australian Open. Clocking 5 hours 27 minutes, the Friday thriller saw Alcaraz drop to his knees in exhaustion after an unforgettable comeback.
Two sets up, Alcaraz’s world tilted when cramps hit his right leg mid-third set. Movement hampered, he took a medical timeout that sparked Zverev’s ire. The third seed pounced, winning the next two sets via tiebreaks, his booming serves keeping the Spaniard at bay. In the fifth, Zverev nursed a break lead, poised to upset.
Enter Alcaraz’s indomitable will. He quieted the pain, refined his steps, and wore down Zverev in the clutch, snatching 7-5. This victory, among his best, advances him to face Sinner or the ageless Djokovic. Zverev had opened with a break but couldn’t close the second set against Alcaraz’s tiebreak sorcery.
Never before defeated in a five-setter after leading two-love, Alcaraz extends his streak. Melbourne Park hosted a classic, blending physical extremes with tactical brilliance. As the final looms, Alcaraz’s grit positions him as the man to beat in the quest for Grand Slam glory.