Novak Djokovic endured a grueling four-set battle against 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open, closing in on a record 25th Grand Slam title.
The 37-year-old Serbian veteran prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in a match that spanned three hours and 37 minutes, showcasing his trademark resilience and ability to dig deep under pressure.
In what was described as a “clash between generations,” Djokovic, despite suffering from a strain in his left thigh, prevailed over his Spanish opponent, who is 16 years younger than him.
“I just hope this match today is the final,” Djokovic said afterwards, acknowledging the intensity of the encounter. “It was one of the most epic matches I’ve ever played on this pitch, any pitch really.”
The win marked his 50th Grand Slam semi-final appearance, extending his record by four goals over Swiss legend Roger Federer.
Djokovic will now meet German Alexander Zverev, who qualified for the semi-finals for the second year in a row, after defeating American Tommy, seeded 12th, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-0), 2-6, 6-1. . pee.
Djokovic overcomes injury struggles
The match began with Djokovic taking control early and breaking Alcaraz’s serve immediately. However, the 21-year-old quickly regained his balance and broke with a powerful backhand winner.
The momentum changed again when Djokovic, visibly struggling with his thigh, called a medical timeout after the first set, which Alcaraz won 6-4.
Despite the injury, Djokovic returned to the court with a heavy thigh and immediately broke Alcaraz’s serve at the start of the second set.
Alcaraz, who had shown resilience before, was able to win three games in a row, but Djokovic responded with a stunning backhand winner, winning the set 6-4.
In the third set, Djokovic’s experience began to tell its details. He broke Alcaraz’s serve three times in a row to lead 5-3 and take the set 6-3.
The fourth set followed a similar pattern, with Djokovic breaking serve early and maintaining control.
Despite Alcaraz’s relentless performance, Djokovic sealed the match with a 6-4 victory, leaving the crowd in awe with a series of exciting passes, including a 33 one-shot finish.
“I’m not entirely sure what the injury is, but the medicine is starting to take effect, and it’s helped me,” Djokovic admitted after the match.
Zverev is approaching the dream title
Djokovic’s next opponent, Alexander Zverev, also had a tough fight against Tommy Paul.
The second seed won 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/0), 2-6, 6-1, asserting its dominance in the decisive tie-breaks before finishing the fourth set strongly.
Zverev, who is looking to win his first Grand Slam title and become the first German player to do so since Boris Becker in 1996, acknowledged the high level of the upcoming competition.
“Two of the best players to ever touch a tennis racket,” Zverev said of Djokovic and Alcaraz.
“Novak is the greatest of all time right now. Carlos will be one of them when he retires, so it’s a generational clash.”
Djokovic and Zverev will meet in a match expected to be in the semi-finals. Djokovic holds an 8-4 record over Zverev, including a win in their last meeting in Cincinnati in 2023.
Both players will be looking to take one step closer to an Australian Open title.
As Djokovic prepares for the semi-finals, his focus is clear. “The key is recovery,” he said, as he looks forward to bouncing back from his grueling quarter-final battle and facing Zverev in what is sure to be another classic.