In Wednesday night’s Australian Open showdown, Alexander Zverev capitalized on his second opportunity to secure a victory against the No. 2-ranked Carlos Alcaraz. This triumph earned Zverev a coveted spot in the semifinals where he is set to face two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev. The sixth-seeded Zverev initially found himself on the brink of victory when he went up a break in the third set. However, a missed chance to serve out the win saw Alcaraz rallying back. Undeterred, Zverev maintained his composure and ultimately sealed the match with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-4 scoreline.
Carlos Alcaraz, who previously managed to defeat the 10-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam match last year, was unable to replicate this success in the current tournament. Zverev’s triumph marked his first win over a top-five player at a Grand Slam, earning him a place in the semifinals for the seventh time in major tournaments. His upcoming opponent, Daniil Medvedev, secured his spot in the semis with a hard-fought victory over Hubert Hurkacz in a challenging four-hour match, concluding 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
Reflecting on his upcoming match against Medvedev, Zverev acknowledged recent challenges but expressed hope that the Australian Open might be the turning point for him. Zverev’s dominance was evident from the start of the match at Rod Laver Arena, as he swiftly claimed the opening set in just 29 minutes, dropping a mere two points on serve. Throughout the contest, Zverev maintained control, breaking Alcaraz’s serve twice in the second set.
Despite a commanding lead, Zverev faced a momentary setback when serving for the match at 5-3 in the third set, allowing Alcaraz to break back. The spirited Spanish player, Alcaraz, showcased his resilience by leveling the set at 5-5. He went on to secure the third set, winning the tiebreaker with a series of impressive shots, including a forehand passing shot that brought a smile to his face.
The drama continued in the fourth set with an exchange of service breaks, but Zverev seized the opportunity to break in the ninth game, paving the way for him to finally close out the match. The culmination of the victory saw Zverev’s ecstatic celebration, letting out a scream of relief and shaking his arms in triumph at approximately 1:20 a.m. local time.