Carlos Alcaraz: MELBOURNE – In a battle that will be etched in memory for years to come, the world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz booked his first Australian Open final spot. In a tough battle of wills, the Spaniard defeated Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 in a match that lasted 5 hours and 27 minutes.
This victory not only propels Alcaraz into the final but also brings him one step away from achieving the Career Grand Slam, and he could potentially become the youngest man to achieve this feat.
The Third-Longest Match in Australian Open History
The semifinal match was nothing short of a classic. It took the players over five and a half hours to complete, making it the third-longest match in Australian Open history, after the 2012 Djokovic-Nadal final and the 2023 Murray-Kokkinakis epic.
The length of the affair was such that it caused the second semifinal match between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner to be delayed by more than an hour, keeping thousands of fans riveted to the big screens at Melbourne Park.
Drama at Rod Laver Arena: Injury Scare and Controversy
The turning point came in the third set when Alcaraz appeared to be on course to win the match in straight sets.
The Physical Collapse of the World No. 1
Alcaraz, serving at 4-4 in the third set, suddenly started limping and clutching his right upper leg. His explosive athleticism, which has been the hallmark of his play, suddenly went out of the window. The numbers tell the tale of the concern:
- Serve Speed: Reduced from an average of 204 km/h to 177 km/h.
- Movement: His leg speed plummeted from 2.31 m/s to 1.46 m/s.
Zverev’s Fury and the “Cramp Rule”
The situation turned ugly when Alcaraz called for a medical timeout. Zverev was livid with rage, arguing with chair umpire Marijana Veljovic and Grand Slam supervisor Andreas Egli. According to ATP rules, medical timeouts are not permitted on grounds of “loss of conditioning” or cramping.
“He has cramps! This is bulls***,” Zverev shouted, accusing the officials of giving favorable treatment to the top seeds. Despite the drama, Alcaraz was treated and drank pickle juice, a known remedy for muscle cramps, to keep his title chances alive.
Zverev’s Relentless Comeback
Noticing Alcaraz’s weakness, Zverev displayed incredible resilience. The German dominated the third and fourth-set tiebreaks, becoming the first player in history to extend the match to a fifth set after being two sets down.
Zverev even gained the first break of the fifth set and was leading 5-4, just one service hold away from forcing a final showdown. But the German’s nerves failed him at the final stretch, allowing the injured but courageous Alcaraz to break back and take control of the match.
Chasing Immortality: The Path to the Career Grand Slam
This win puts the 22-year-old Spaniard one victory away from tennis immortality.
Breaking Records of the “Big Three”
If he wins on Sunday, he will be the youngest player to win all four Grand Slam titles (Career Grand Slam), a title that was won by Rafael Nadal at the age of 24 and Novak Djokovic much later. Alcaraz has already shown his superiority on grass (Wimbledon), clay (French Open), and hard courts (US Open); now, only the Australian Open title is left.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How long did the semifinal between Alcaraz and Zverev in 2026 last? The semifinal lasted 5 hours and 27 minutes, making it the longest semifinal in the history of the Australian Open.
Q2: Was Alcaraz’s medical timeout illegal? Zverev claimed that it was illegal since he thought Alcaraz was only cramping. However, the medical staff permitted the treatment, and no official violation was noted.
Q3: Who will Alcaraz play in the final? Alcaraz will play the winner of the second semifinal match between Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic on Sunday, February 1st.
Conclusion: This match was more than a tennis match; it was a demonstration of human strength. Whether you support Alcaraz or Zverev, there is no doubt that we have just experienced a part of history today. Carlos Alcaraz went into the match as a player and came out as a legend in the making.
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