MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — In a thrilling semifinal match at the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz triumphed over Alexander Zverev in a gripping five-set battle, solidifying his place in tennis history. This victory not only marked Alcaraz's entry into the finals of all four Grand Slam events but also made him the youngest man in the Open era to achieve this milestone.
At just 22 years old, Alcaraz is now pursuing the title of the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam. His journey to the final was anything but easy; after an intense match lasting 5 hours and 27 minutes, he secured his spot with a scoreline of 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5. This match has been recognized as the longest of the tournament thus far and ranks among the longest in Australian Open history.
Alcaraz started strong, taking the first two sets and looked poised for victory. However, the match took a turn when he faced physical difficulties in the third set, appearing to struggle with cramps and discomfort in his upper right leg. After being two points away from the match in the third set, he took a medical timeout for treatment, during which he received massages to relieve the tightness.
Despite these challenges, Alcaraz exhibited remarkable resilience. Even with limited mobility, he managed to land crucial winners and kept the pressure on Zverev. The turning point came when he found himself trailing early in the fifth set but battled back, breaking Zverev's serve when the latter was serving for the match at 5-4. This moment not only swung the momentum back in Alcaraz's favor but also electrified the crowd at Rod Laver Arena.
The match was characterized by its dramatic swings in momentum. Zverev, ranked No. 3 and a previous finalist, maintained his composure despite the crowd's overwhelming support for Alcaraz. The tension heightened as the match progressed into a fifth set, which was the first five-setter on the center court during the 2026 tournament.
In the midst of a physically demanding contest, Alcaraz's determination shone through. He described the match as one of the most challenging he has ever played, emphasizing the importance of perseverance: “I kept believing, believing, all the time,” he reflected after the match. Despite the pain, he focused on his strategy, citing previous experiences in similar high-stakes matches as key to his performance.
As the match reached its climax, Alcaraz’s athleticism was on full display when he executed a stunning forehand winner after sprinting across the court to chase down a drop shot. This electrified the audience, further boosting his momentum. Finally, after breaking Zverev's serve, Alcaraz held for 6-5 and converted his first match point, sealing his victory.
In closing remarks, Alcaraz expressed his joy at reaching the final in Melbourne, stating, “It is something that I was pursuing a lot, chasing a lot, having the chance to fight for the title.” His victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown in the finals against either two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner or ten-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic, who is also in pursuit of an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title.
