Alexander Zverev quashed a comeback attempt by World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz to win 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-4 and reach his second Australian Open semifinal on Wednesday in Melbourne.
Zverev, from Germany, will face third-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev in Friday’s semifinal. He’ll be looking for his second straight win against a Top 5 opponent in a Grand Slam after recording his first-ever such victory against Alcaraz.
The win for Zverev, the World No. 6, was powered by his dominant first serve, which he landed 85 percent of the time. He was up two sets and serving for the match at 5-3 when his serve failed him for the first time, with Alcaraz getting his first break.
The break gave Alcaraz a burst in momentum and slightly shook Zverev, who lost four points on his serve in the tiebreak.
The two played to a stalemate in the fourth set until Zverev broke Alcaraz at 4-4, then served out for the win in three hours and six minutes.
Zverev admitted in his on-court interview after the match that he got ahead of himself in the third set as the thought of victory against the second-seeded Spaniard crept into his mind.
“We are all human and it is a great honor to play against guys like him,” he said. “When you’re so close to winning your brain starts going and it is not always helpful, but I’m happy that I got there in the end. I fought back quite well in the fourth set, didn’t let go and I’m very happy that I finished the match.”
Zverev moved to 5-3 in his career against Alcaraz.
He’ll be facing the World No. 3 when he plays Medvedev, who survived a 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 match against No. 9 Hubert Hurkacz of Poland to book a spot in his third Australian Open semifinal.
It will be the first meeting in a Grand Slam between the two. Medvedev holds an 11-7 lead in head-to-head play against Zverev.
Zverev discussed a medical timeout he took to address a toe issue but said he wouldn’t let it stop him.
“I have a lot of blood under my toenails which is quite painful, but I would much rather feel the way I’m feeling right now, with a bit of pain here and there but in the semifinals, than be at home right now watching this tournament,” he said. “I’m happy to be here and I’m ready to keep going.”
World No. 1 and 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia will meet No. 4 Jannik Sinner of Italy in the other semifinal.
–Field Level Media