MELBOURNE — World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz delivered one of the most dramatic performances of his young career on Friday, surviving a marathon five-set semifinal against Alexander Zverev to book his place in the Australian Open final.
Alcaraz prevailed 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (4-7), 7-5 after five hours and 27 minutes, in what organizers confirmed was the longest semifinal in Australian Open history and the third-longest match ever played at Melbourne Park.
The encounter was a stunning showcase of endurance, shot-making and mental toughness. After racing to a two-set lead, the 22-year-old Spaniard appeared to struggle physically under the intense Australian heat, calling a medical timeout in the third set due to cramping — a moment that briefly stirred controversy.
Zverev capitalized on Alcaraz’s physical dip, winning back-to-back tiebreaks to force a deciding fifth set and breaking serve early as momentum swung firmly in his favour. But Alcaraz, buoyed by the crowd and drawing on past big-match experience, refused to fold.
Facing defeat as Zverev served for the match, Alcaraz elevated his game once more, winning three consecutive games to complete a remarkable comeback. He collapsed to the court in exhaustion after sealing victory on match point.
“I always say you have to believe in yourself no matter what,” Alcaraz said afterward. “I fought until the last ball. Physically, it was one of the most demanding matches I’ve ever played — but I’m extremely proud of how I came back.”
Zverev, still chasing his first Grand Slam title, declined to dwell on the medical timeout controversy, calling the match “one of the best battles there ever was in Australia.”
Alcaraz will now face either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final, as he looks to add another major title to his growing legacy.