Carlos Alcaraz has not given up on his career Grand Slam after producing a heroic five-set win over Alexander Zverev to make his first Australian Open final, where he will play Novak Djokovic in a highly anticipated title match.
The 22-year-old Spaniard had to fight against a leg problem but still managed to beat Zverev 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 in an engrossing semi that lasted five hours and 27 minutes — the longest in Melbourne history. Alcaraz was physically affected from the middle of the third set but he used his clever strokes, faith, and sheer grit to wear down the German third seed in an exciting final game.
When the fifth set started, Alcaraz was broken earlier but then he came back from the brink and, after breaking Zverev near the end of the set, he secured a win and thus earned a shot to finish his career Grand Slam on Sunday.
The person who will prevent him from doing so is Djokovic, who went back in time to defeat the current two-time champion in a five-set battle of epics. The 38-year-old Serb prevailed 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a match that was concluded very late that night, advancing to his 11th Australian Open final. Should he win, Djokovic will become the holder of a record 25th Grand Slam title.
On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina came through to her second Australian Open final with a steady 6-3, 7-6(7) victory over Jessica Pegula. The fifth seed did not lose a single match in Melbourne this time, thereby surviving a tense second-set tiebreak to set up a repeat match with the world number one, Aryna Sabalenka.
“I’m proud of the fact that I was able to keep my concentration and I fought for every point,” said Rybakina afterward.
The ex-Wimbledon champ will go for the revenge of the 2023 final defeat when she conflicts with Sabalenka on Saturday, thus both being billed for an ovation closing of the tournament at Melbourne Park.
