In the early years of his young career, Carlos Alcaraz enjoyed making the almost impossible seem routine. He played at such a high level so consistently, learned from his mistakes at warp speed, and even when he was in big trouble, so often he somehow found a way to get through.
This time he couldn't. Despite a spirited comeback in the death throes, he had far too much to do after a miserable start as runner-up against Alexander Zverev, who maintained a high level through four sets and won 6-1, 6-3, 6- in a difficult fourth set. 7 (2), 6-4 and reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
As a result, sixth seed Zverev and third seed Daniil Medvedev will duel for a place in the final on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Medvedev kept his composure in the uncomfortable heat, held on against a resurgent Hubert Hurkacz and returned to the semi-finals in Melbourne with a 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory .
Alcaraz entered Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night with the intention of destroying his lower-ranked opponent, but his story highlighted the potential danger that lay ahead. Zverev held a narrow 4-3 record against Alcaraz, defeating the Spaniard in one of the best matches of his career at the 2022 French Open.
It quickly became clear that Zverev was in a similar mood, swinging freely, while Alcaraz was shaky from the start. He set the tone by immediately handing the first break to Love with a terrible, error-filled opening serve game.
Carlos Alcaraz got off to a slow start and despite a late push, his hopes of a maiden Australian Open title were dashed. Photo: Mast Irham/EPAIn the first two sets, Zverev served well, fighting from behind the baseline, making mistakes with his defense and using his moments well to move inside the baseline and attack. Alcaraz simply couldn't contain his error count and ended the first set with two winners and 10 unforced errors. After seemingly starting to find his feet at the start of the second round, the set fell into a hurry and his unforced errors piled up again.
Only at his last stand, when Zverev served to make it 5:3, did Alcaraz find a brief moment of inspiration. He played a brilliant return game, closing the net to seal the break as the crowd erupted, and then his attacking all-court game ended in an irresistible tie-break as he forced a fourth set.
The momentum had changed and Alcaraz spent much of the fourth set pinning Zverev back. Under enormous pressure from the start, Zverev continued to deliver an excellent serve. In the frantic cat-and-mouse battles that the Spaniard initiated, he remained at Alcaraz's side and held out long enough for Alcaraz's level to drop and he achieved a dramatic victory.
“Given the level I've played at before, going into this match with a lot of confidence and knowing I'm playing good tennis, it's a shame that I started the match the way I did and all that finished as I did. But it’s tennis,” Alcaraz said.
Daniil Medvedev celebrates his victory over Hubert Hurkacz 7:6 (4), 2:6, 6:3, 5:7, 6:4 after almost four hours on court. Photo: Phil Walter/Getty ImagesMeanwhile, Zverev continues to play and win despite facing serious allegations. On the eve of his first-round match at the Australian Open, the Berlin criminal courts announced that he would face a public trial from May 31 for physical abuse and damage to the health of his ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea. The trial is expected to overlap with the French Open and Wimbledon. Zverev denies the allegations.
In the first men's quarterfinal of the day, Medvedev was on his way to a convincing four-set win over Hurkacz with a break in the fourth set before Hurkacz did everything he could to get the break and force a fifth set. Medvedev started to struggle a lot in the heat the longer the game went on, but he found a way through.
In a dramatic 11 days, Medvedev endured tough five-setters, the oppressive heat and a game that lasted until 3:40 a.m. “After every game I’m destroyed in the locker room,” he said. “But then we do a good job. One day off is probably enough to feel good the next day. So far, so good at the start of the games and that’s what matters.”