Alcaraz survives longest Australian Open semifinal

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev 6–4, 7–6(5), 6–7(3), 6–7(4), 7–5 in the longest Australian Open semifinal. The five-hour, twenty-seven-minute encounter also became the tournament’s third-longest match and secured the world number one’s first final at Melbourne Park.

Alcaraz had led by two sets before cramping disrupted his movement and serving. Zverev forced a decider and later served for the match, but Alcaraz recovered the break and won four consecutive games to finish an exceptional physical and mental contest.

The twenty-two-year-old became the youngest man in the Open Era to reach finals at all four majors. His career Grand Slam bid remained alive, with either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic awaiting in the final following the other semifinal.