Carlos Alcaraz loses to Zverev and crashes out of the Australian Open
In a decisive victory over Carlos Alcaraz, ranked second, on Wednesday night, Alexander Zverev advanced to the Australian Open semifinals, where he will face Daniil Medvedev, the runner-up twice.
After missing a chance to serve out the match when leading by a break in the third set, sixth-seeded Zverev didn't give up and won 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-4.
The only player to defeat 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam match last year was Wimbledon champion Alcaraz. This time, he won't have the opportunity in Australia.
Zverev's seventh major semifinal appearance came as a result of his first victory over a top-five player at a Grand Slam. He will play against Medvedev, who defeated Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in a taxing four-hour match.
Zverev claimed that although Medvedev had been giving him a hard time lately, "perhaps this will be it. Perhaps this will be the location."
Zverev said at a press conference at three in the morning local time that he thought Wednesday's outcome was the most significant since he had recovered from an ankle injury that kept him out of the US Open and Wimbledon in 2022.
"I was on top of my game before the injury happened," he stated. "I'm overjoyed to be back in this position, winning these kinds of matches and regaining my opportunity. Since I wasn't a Slam contender the previous year."
Alcaraz suffered an injury that kept him out of the Australian Open in 2023, but he made it to the quarterfinals this time. Compared to Zverev, he had only lost one set and played for five hours less on the court during the first four rounds.
"I'm sad with my level today, because I have been playing good tennis," Alcaraz stated. "Obviously, making it to a Grand Slam quarterfinal is a nice run. Although it's not what I'm looking for, it's still good."
At Rod Laver Arena, Zverev got off to a quick start against Alcaraz, dropping just two points during the opening set, which he finished in 29 minutes. In the second set, he twice broke serve while keeping Alcaraz at a distance.
Just after midnight in the third game, at 5-3, the German was serving for the match when Alcaraz broke for the first time. Alcaraz restored the score to 5-5 with a backhand down the line after chasing a shot into the doubles alley. He did this while grinning broadly and gesturing with his racket, as if to say, "Hello, still here."
He smiled after earning four set points when he chased a ball wide and made a forehand passing shot, and he won the last seven points of the tiebreaker to make it 2-1.
Zverev had another opportunity to seal the match after breaking in the ninth game, following a trade of service breaks to start the fourth. At approximately 1:20 a.m. local time, the Olympic gold medalist shook his arms in celebration and let out a cry of relief upon winning.
"When you're up 6-1, 6-3, 5-2 against a player like Carlos, you start thinking because we are all human," Zverev stated on the court. "Your mind starts racing, which isn't always beneficial, but I'm glad I made it there in the end. In the fourth set, I managed to battle back fairly successfully and held on."
This story was supported by Reuters and the Associated Press.