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Alcaraz outlasts Zverev in record 5h27 SF marathon, reaches first Australian Open final

  • Posted: Jan 30, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz advanced to his maiden Australian Open final in dramatic fashion on Friday afternoon, when he overcame physical problems and rallied from the brink to secure a marathon semi-final win against Alexander Zverev.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Alcaraz overcame World No. 3 Zverev 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 after a pulsating five hours, 27 minutes inside Rod Laver Arena, the longest semi-final in tournament history. After appearing to recover from the upper right leg injury that hampered him from late in the third set, the Spaniard rallied from 3-5 in the decider and collapsed to the ground in ecstasy after sealing his first final appearance in Melbourne. He will take on Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic on Sunday for the trophy.

“Believing, all the time,” said Alcaraz in his on-court interview, when asked how he won the match. “I always say you have to believe in yourself, no matter if you are struggling or what you have been through. No matter about anything, you still have to believe in yourself all the time. I was struggling in the middle of the third set. Physically it was one of the most demanding matches that I have played in my short career.

“I have been in these kinds of situations and I knew what I had to do. I had to put my heart into the match. I think I did it and I fought until the last ball. I knew I was going to have my chances. I am extremely proud of myself with the way that I fought and came back in the fifth set.”

With his victory, Alcaraz moved within one win of becoming the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam (winning the singles title at all four majors). Standing between Alcaraz and that piece of history, however, is a heavyweight showdown with one of his great rivals. World No. 2 Sinner is the two-time defending champion at Melbourne Park, while Djokovic is a record 10-time Australian Open titlist.

“I am really happy to play my first final in Melbourne,” Alcaraz said. “It was something I was chasing a lot, pursuing a lot. Having the chance to fight for the title. I think it has been a great tournament so far and my level is increasing a lot. But one thing I think I am going to say is I could not be here doing this interview right now without [the fans]. It was a pleasure playing in front of all of you. The way you pushed me back in the match… I am really grateful for the support.”

Alcaraz won 78 per cent (35/45) of points at the net in his epic win, according to Infosys Stats. The 22-year-old is now 15-1 in fifth sets, while he has also taken a 7-6 lead in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Zverev. Meanwhile Friday’s agonising defeat leaves the 28-year-old Zverev still chasing his maiden Grand Slam title.

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Alcaraz, who had not dropped a set across his opening five matches in Melbourne, appeared on course to maintain his perfect run after opening a two-set lead against Zverev. The top seed produced typically classy tennis when he needed it most, particularly when he rallied from 2-5 to clinch the second set.

It was at 4-4, 15/15 in the third set when the real drama began. Alcaraz appeared to pull up and struggle with an upper right leg injury when serving at 4-4 in the third set. He twice received treatment from the tournament physio, and he was unable to stop Zverev from clawing his way back into the match from there.

Alcaraz’s approach of playing ultra aggressively to shorten rallies was competitive, but appeared to not be enough. Zverev broke his opponent’s serve in the opening game of the deciding set and, after fending off five break points across three of his service games, was soon serving for the match at 5-4.

Then came Alcaraz’s scarcely believable comeback. Moving freely again, the Spaniard reeled off four games in a row to stun his rival and become the youngest man to reach the final at all four Grand Slams. On match point, Alcaraz powered a forehand low into the encroaching Zverev, before falling to his back in ecstasy as the German’s volley dropped into the net.

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Alcaraz eyes ATP No. 1 Club feat in Melbourne

  • Posted: Jan 30, 2026

History suggests that World No. 1s have often thrived at the Australian Open, a precedent that Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to uphold as he sits two wins from his maiden Melbourne crown and bids to become the youngest player to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Eight members of the prestigious ATP No. 1 Club have combined for 16 Australian Open titles while simultaneously holding the top spot in the PIF ATP Rankings. Alcaraz’s great rival Jannik Sinner accomplished the feat last season, the second player to do so in the past five years (Novak Djokovic, 2021).

Players To Win AO As World No. 1

Player  Years Won, While Ranked World No. 1
Ivan Lendl  1990
Jim Courier 1993
Pete Sampras 1994, 1997
Andre Agassi 2000
Roger Federer 2006-07, 2010
Rafael Nadal 2009
Novak Djokovic 2012-13, 2015-16, 2019, 2021
Jannik Sinner 2025

Record 10-time champion Djokovic has lifted the AO trophy six times as World No. 1, the most of any player. He first completed the feat in 2012, finishing that edition with an instant classic five-hour, 53-minute final victory against Rafael Nadal. The Serbian most recently won in Melbourne as World No. 1 in 2021.

Alcaraz, 22, has reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne in each of the past two seasons. Should the Spaniard go all the way to the title, he would join Pete Sampras and Rafael Nadal as the only players to be World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings at the time of their first Australian Open trophy.

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Alcaraz’s lone major triumph while holding No. 1 honours came in 2023 at Wimbledon, where he outlasted Djokovic in a five-set final to end the Serbian’s 34-match winning streak at the All England Club. In 2022, Alcaraz won his maiden major title at the US Open and became World No. 1 following that victory. At age 19, Alcaraz became the youngest No. 1 in PIF ATP Rankings history.

Alcaraz added to his major title count in 2025, reigning victorious at Roland Garros and at the US Open, defeating Sinner in both finals. In New York, Alcaraz not only earned the champion’s trophy, but also regained the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings, ending Sinner’s 65-week debut reign.

A six-time major champion, Alcaraz holds an 16-4 match record at the Australian Open, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, entering his semi-final match against Alexander Zverev. Last year, Alcaraz fell to Djokovic in a four-set quarter-final thriller after three hours and 37 minutes.

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Why Djokovic's legendary return will be critical in his pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam

  • Posted: Jan 30, 2026

Novak Djokovic is widely regarded as one of the best returners in tennis history. The Serbian has won a higher percentage of return games than any active player and has put the best servers under pressure throughout his career.

The 38-year-old will need to bring his very best returning to Rod Laver Arena on Friday evening if he hopes to snap a five-match losing streak against two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner.

An Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers analysis shows that the return — long one of the Serbian’s greatest strengths — has been where he has struggled against Sinner in their recent showdowns.

The Italian leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 6-4, including five straight victories dating back to Sinner’s Davis Cup victory in November 2023. The No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings can become the first player to win six consecutive tour-level matches against Djokovic.

But the 10-time Australian Open champion can make a good start in fending off that history by relying on his trademark return. During his losing streak against Sinner, the 24-time major champion has not broken serve more than twice in a match and in two of his defeats, he did not earn a break point.

Djokovic has broken twice from eight chances across 61 return games in his past four meetings with Sinner, winning just 3.3 per cent of his return games in those encounters. That is a far cry from the Serbian’s longtime excellence on return.

Djokovic has proven to hold the Kryptonite for the best servers in the world throughout the years. Entering the Australian Open, Djokovic had won 31.6 per cent of return games for his career, the seventh-best mark on record. From 2009 through 2021, the 101-time tour-level titlist won at least 30 per cent of his return games each season, including an astonishing 38.8 per cent in 2011. Each year since 2021, he has finished sixth or better on Tour.

Career Return Games Won % – Active Players

 Player  Return Games Won %
 1) Novak Djokovic  31.6%
 2) Carlos Alcaraz  31.1%
 3) Jannik Sinner  28.2%
 4) Daniil Medvedev  27.1%
 5) Alex de Minaur  27%

So far at this edition of the Australian Open, Djokovic has won 36 per cent of his return games, breaking 18 times from 50 games. Those matches did not come against a player like Sinner, who has led the ATP Tour in percentage of service games won in each of the past two seasons, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

But it is still a positive sign for Djokovic, who has won a higher rate of first-serve return points this fortnight than fellow semi-finalists Sinner (32%), Carlos Alcaraz (35%) and Alexander Zverev (32%).

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With that said, Djokovic is aware of the challenge in front of him, especially from Sinner and Alcaraz, who have swept the past eight majors.

“Are they better right now than me and all the other guys? Yes, they are. I mean, the quality and the level is amazing. It’s great. It’s phenomenal,” Djokovic said after advancing to the semi-finals. “But does that mean that I walk out with a white flag? No. I’m going to fight until the last shot, until the last point, and do my very best to challenge them.”

Vintage returning will be key to doing just that.

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Old King, New Order: Djokovic & Sinner set for Australian Open SF blockbuster

  • Posted: Jan 29, 2026

There are nights at Melbourne Park when the future knocks loudly on the door, and others when history refuses to move aside. Friday’s Australian Open semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner promises a collision of both.

Sinner, the two-defending champion, is aiming to join Djokovic as the only men in the Open Era to win three consecutive titles in Melbourne, but the 38-year-old — who boasts a record 10 trophies — still refuses to loosen his grip on his most successful tournament. Their clash is slated for 7:30 p.m. local time / 3:30 a.m. EST.

Although the Australian Open remains Djokovic’s domain, Sinner has won his past five Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings against the Serbian, including straight-sets victories in the semi-finals of both Roland Garros and Wimbledon last season.

Sinner, for his part, has been quick to frame the contest with respect and perspective.

“It’s great to have Novak playing at this level,” Sinner said of Djokovic, who is chasing a record 25th major title. “It’s a Grand Slam, it’s always very difficult against Novak… He is, I think, the most professional athlete we have here in the locker room. I also try to be as professional as possible.

“He has a huge package of experience with himself. He knows how to handle every situation the best possible way. As a 24-year-old, I’m lucky to have someone like him in front of my eyes, and I can hopefully learn something. I feel like every day, every time he plays, I can learn something about him, about Carlos, about all the other great, great players.”

“I think the way he’s playing, the way he’s moving, if you are not professional, you don’t play at this level. He’s an inspiration to all of us and especially the young players.”

Sinner’s evolution has been underpinned by ruthless baseline efficiency and improved point-ending instincts, qualities that have repeatedly troubled Djokovic in recent meetings. The 24-year-old’s ability to take time away has neutralised the Serbian’s famed defensive elasticity.

For Djokovic to turn the tide and book his spot in an 11th Australian Open final, the tactical demands are steep. Variety will be essential, as it was during the latter stages of his Roland Garros campaign last year but, above all, Djokovic must impose uncertainty.

The No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, knows the scale of the challenge.

“He’s just playing on such a high level right now, along with Carlos. They’re the two best players in the world,” Djokovic said. “[They are] absolute favourites, but you never know… Hopefully I can deliver my A-game for that matchup, because that’s what’s going to be needed at least to have a chance.”

Last year, Djokovic produced a stirring quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne before the Spaniard later exacted revenge en route to the US Open crown. Sinner and Alcaraz have split the past eight major titles, shaping a rivalry many believe will define the next era.

But Djokovic has never measured himself by trends.

“Are they better right now than me and all the other guys? Yes, they are,” Djokovic admitted. “The quality and the level is amazing. It’s great. It’s phenomenal. But does that mean that I walk out with a white flag? No.”

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