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Carlos Alcaraz Proved why he’s the five-set tennis champion, world No. 1 wins record australian open Semifinal matchup Alexander Zverev His hopes of a career grand slam were kept alive in 5 hours and 27 minutes.
Alcaraz led third seed Zverev in two close sets and looked set to reach his first Australian Open final without dropping a set, but as he approached the finish line at 4-4 in the third set, the 22-year-old dramatically stood up and stretched his right leg.
With his movement severely restricted, Alcaraz was in serious danger and Zverev forced a fourth set in a tiebreak before winning a tiebreak to take the match to a decider. Zverev then broke Alcaraz’s serve in the first game of the fifth set.
But the Spaniard managed to hold on, giving himself time to recover, and the semi-final became the longest in Australian Open history. As Zverev’s serve progressed, Alcaraz broke serve and won the last four games in a row 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (3-7) 6-7 (4-7) 7-5.
In the process, Alcaraz extended his five-set record to 15 wins in 16 matches, with his only defeat coming in the third round of the 2022 Australian Open against Matteo Berrettini when the Spaniard was 18.
Since then, Alcaraz has won his last 12 five-set matches, including the French Open final against Jannik Sinner He saved three championship points back then and now he’s pulled off his latest escape against Zverev.
“Always believe,” Alcaraz said after advancing to Sunday’s final. There he will face Novak Djokovic. “I always say you have to believe in yourself no matter what. No matter what you’re struggling with, no matter what you go through, no matter what happens. You still always believe in yourself.
“I struggled in the middle of the third set. You know, this is one of the most demanding matches I’ve played in my short career. I’ve been in matches like this before, so I know what I have to do. I have to put my heart and soul into the match.
“I think I did it. I fought until the last ball. I knew I was going to have a chance. I’m very proud of myself, the way I fought and the way I came back in the fifth set.”
Alcaraz’s recovery has made history and he has the chance to set another major record as he chases a first Australian Open title. Alcaraz, 22, is the youngest player in the Open era to reach the finals of all four majors, ahead of Jim Courier who achieved the feat in 1993.
Alcaraz also became the youngest person in history to complete the career Grand Slam with a victory – ahead of Don Budge who achieved the feat in 1938. Rafael Nadal He is the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam in the Open era. He was only 24 years old when he completed the career Grand Slam in 2010.
Currier spoke to Alcaraz on the sidelines for his latest epic interview and pointed to the history he could make on Sunday. Thank you for putting so much pressure on me right now,” Alcaraz laughed. “Just kidding, just kidding!
“I’m really, really happy to have the opportunity to play my first final in Melbourne. It’s something I’ve been pursuing, chasing, to have the chance to fight for the championship.
“Hopefully it will be a good atmosphere on Sunday. I can’t wait. Right now my brain is recovering as much as I can just to stay in good shape and put on a show for you guys. See you on Sunday!”
Zverev, meanwhile, was furious at the “incredible” decision to allow Alkaraz to take a medical timeout in his epic Australian Open semi-final.
Zverev trailed two sets in Melbourne and looked set to bow out of the match, but fought back despite Alcaraz’s deteriorating physical condition to force a decider.
Spaniards are Medical timeout allowed late in third set He was hoping to seal the win as he had struggled with his movement in the previous games.
The coach came on and began massaging Alcaraz’s thigh before referee Mariana Vicovic called a three-minute medical timeout. However, Zverev was furious with the decision. According to the rules, players are not allowed to take medical timeouts due to muscle cramping issues.
Zverev expressed his anger in German to director Andreas Egli, muttering: “He’s cramped! He can’t receive medical treatment, he’s cramped. What else could it be? This is absolute nonsense! This is unbelievable.”
“You’re protecting both of them. [Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner]which is unbelievable. incredible. it’s out of the question. it’s out of the question. You can’t be serious. “