Novak Djokovic: The Serbian defeated Carlos Alcaraz and remained on the way to the 11th Australian Open title and 25th Grand Slam | Tennis news
Novak Djokovic battled back from a set down to defeat young rival Carlos Alcaraz 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 at 12.57am to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
In the latest chapter of a generational rivalry played out on the biggest stages, including last year’s gold medal match at the Paris Olympics, it was the 37-year-old Djokovic who maintained his hard-court dominance over Alcaraz to cruise to a remarkable 50th Grand Slam semi-final against Alexander Zverez.
Coach Andy Murray, who sat in the courtside box, also deserves credit as this was a tactical triumph as Djokovic blunted his opponent’s firepower and spirit before the 21-year-old rallied in a spectacular display.
The defeat was a blow for Alcaraz as the French Open and Wimbledon champion’s bid to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam fizzled, and he was left to digest his third loss to Djokovic on the surface.
“First I want to express my greatest respect and admiration for Carlos and everything he stands for – and what he has achieved so far in his young career,” Djokovic said.
“What a great guy he is and an even better competitor… I just wish this match today was the final, honestly.
“It’s one of the most epic matches I’ve played on this court – on any court, really.”
A potential concern for Djokovic is a left leg problem that required treatment during the first set, but appeared to improve physically as the match progressed.
“Since I’m still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much,” he said. “The drugs started working and without a doubt they helped.
“If I had lost the second set, I don’t know if I would have continued to play. But I felt better and better, and I played some great games to take the second set.
“I saw that Carlos was a little hesitant at the back of the field and I took my chances, started to feel better and move better.
“Once the meds wear off, I’ll see what the reality is tomorrow morning. But right now I’m just going to try to be in the moment and enjoy this win.”
How Djokovic fought against Alcaraz…
Both took some time to adjust to competing in cold and windy conditions.
Despite one incredible volley winner, Alcaraz lost serve in the second game amid a flurry of errors, only to break straight back, hitting a backhand winner down the line.
The competition then proceeded routinely until the ninth game when, after a long rally at 15-15, Đoković crouched with a wince and slightly shook his head towards his box.
He managed to save two break points but not the third and was quickly taken off the court for a medical timeout.
He returned with visible straps on his left thigh and Alcaraz served out for the set, but Djokovic showed positive signs early in the second, taking the fight out of his young opponent and taking a 3-0 lead.
It was a poor contest, with a few moments of brilliance from both sides, but with a lot of mistakes, and Alcaraz came back and leveled the match while Djokovic limped around the court.
But the Serb won the title here on several occasions despite being physically compromised and produced a superb return game to break serve again and take the set.
Djokovic found the right groove in his groundstrokes, and especially in his return, putting pressure on an increasingly frustrated Alcaraz.
He broke at 2-3 only to fight back, but the Spaniard shouted at himself again as Djokovic won his third straight break, sending a forehand arrow into the corner, then put a finger to his ear as he soaked up the cheers.
The 37-year-old remained extremely calm but once again conducted his orchestra after coming from 0-30 down to win the set.
Alcaraz seemed out of ideas and another break early in the fourth pushed him closer to the exit, but the Spaniard hit back.
A pulsating 33-shot rally that left both men barely able to stand helped him save a virtual match point at 2-4 15-40, but Alcaraz could not break Djokovic’s serve and the 37-year-old roared with delight after a final backhand from the Spaniard hit the net.
‘Phenomenal game by Djokovic’
Tim Henman, speaking on Eurosport:
“Absolutely phenomenal performance! After losing the first set he looked really down – he was struggling with an injury but as the match went on he got stronger and stronger.
“The quality of both players was exceptional.
“Djokovic really showed his experience. I think a lot of people, if they were struggling with an injury, would be distracted.
“But he was actually clear in his mind about the way he needed to play, which was even more aggressive – and he was still counting unforced errors.
“He was the better player that night.”
The story of the tape
Djokovic vs. Alcaraz: Momentum plots
Zverev sealed the match with Djokovic
Earlier, German world No.2 Zverev reached his third semi-final in Melbourne with a four-set victory over American Tommy Paul.
The second seed, who is bidding for a first Grand Slam title, lost both of his previous two meetings against Paul, but proved stronger in the big moments to win 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-0) 2 -6 6- 1.
Paul, the 12th seed, served for both the first and second sets, but Zverev fought back on each occasion and played two excellent tie-breaks.
“I feel like I kind of stole both of those sets, because he played better than me,” Zverev said.
“I played pretty well in the tie-break. He maybe missed a little more than he should have. I’m happy to win in four sets because this was tough.”
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