Djokovic defeats Alcaraz to reach Australian Open semifinals
The win marked Djokovic’s 12th semifinal appearance at Melbourne Park, second only to Roger Federer’s 15.
Novak Djokovic proved his mettle in an enthralling clash against Carlos Alcaraz on 21 January, advancing to the Australian Open semifinals with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory.
The 37-year-old Serb, chasing his 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown, overcame the 20-year-old Spaniard in 3 hours and 37 minutes despite playing with a heavily strapped left thigh.
The win marked Djokovic's 12th semifinal appearance at Melbourne Park, second only to Roger Federer's 15. It also extended his record for the most Grand Slam semifinal appearances to 50, four ahead of Federer. Djokovic will now face Alexander Zverev, who reached the last four with a 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/0), 2-6, 6-1 win over Tommy Paul.
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A clash of generations
The quarterfinal began with Djokovic taking an early break, but Alcaraz quickly responded, breaking back with a stunning backhand down the line. The Spaniard seized control late in the set, breaking Djokovic for a 5-4 lead before sealing the set to love after the Serb took a medical timeout.
Djokovic, undeterred, came out aggressive in the second set, racing to a 3-0 lead. Alcaraz countered with three consecutive games, but Djokovic clinched a crucial break to level the match. The third set featured a series of breaks, with Djokovic edging ahead 5-3 and serving it out, much to the delight of the crowd, which included his children.
The fourth set began with Djokovic breaking immediately, and though Alcaraz pushed him to his limits—including a 33-shot rally—the Spaniard eventually succumbed. Djokovic celebrated the victory, his experience proving decisive in the clash of generations.
Zverev eyes maiden grand slam title
Alexander Zverev, the second seed, battled past Tommy Paul to secure a semifinal spot for the second consecutive year. The German asserted himself in two tight tiebreaks before dominating the final set.
Zverev, a two-time Australian Open semifinalist, is bidding to become the first German man to win a Grand Slam since Boris Becker in 1996. Reflecting on his potential matchup with Djokovic, he remarked, "Novak is the greatest of all time right now. Carlos is going to be one of them when he hangs it up, so it's a clash of generations."
