Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz beats Alexander Zverev to advance to finals in Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev in a marathon five-set semifinal at the 2026 Australian Open, winning 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 after 5 hours and 27 minutes—the longest semifinal in tournament history.

The victory sends Alcaraz into his first Australian Open final and makes him the youngest man in the Open Era to reach all four Grand Slam finals at age 22.

Carlos Alcaraz started strongly, taking the first two sets with his trademark aggressive baseline play and fearless shot-making.

Zverev, however, refused to fold, clawing back into the match by winning two consecutive tiebreaks in the third and fourth sets.

The German’s powerful serve and resilience kept him alive, even as Alcaraz battled cramps and required medical treatment on his leg.

The Rod Laver Arena crowd witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum as Zverev levelled the contest at 2-2, setting the stage for a tense decider.

The fifth set was a rollercoaster. Zverev broke early and later served for the match at 5-4, but Alcaraz summoned extraordinary grit to break back twice and snatch victory.

Despite his physical struggles, the Spaniard’s mental toughness and ability to produce clutch tennis under pressure proved decisive.

The match not only showcased Alcaraz’s shot variety and athleticism but also highlighted his capacity to endure adversity, a hallmark of champions.

With this win, Alcaraz advances to face either Novak Djokovic or Jannik Sinner in the final, where he will attempt to complete a career Grand Slam at just 22 years old.

The semifinal triumph cements his reputation as the sport’s new standard-bearer, while Zverev, ranked world No. 3, leaves Melbourne with pride after pushing the world No. 1 to the brink.

For fans, the clash will be remembered as one of the greatest Australian Open battles.