ALCARAZ SURVIVES EPIC THRILLER TO REACH FIRST AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL
Carlos Alcaraz has booked his spot in the Australian Open 2026 men’s final after producing a breathtaking performance in one of the most extraordinary matches of the tournament.
The world No. 1 Spaniard battled past Germany’s Alexander Zverev in a marathon semi-final that had everything from drama and injuries to momentum swings and pure grit.
The match finished 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 after five hours and 27 minutes of tennis that will long be remembered by fans.
From the outset, Alcaraz looked in complete control, taking the first two sets with aggressive shot-making and sharp movement. But late in the third, he began suffering leg cramps and a thigh issue, forcing a medical timeout and allowing Zverev to claw his way back into the contest.
The resilient German seized the opportunity, winning back-to-back sets in tiebreaks to level the match and push it to a deciding fifth.
Just when it seemed Zverev might serve his way into the final, Alcaraz dug deep. With heart and belief, he broke serve twice in the final set and won the last four games, sealing victory with a passionate celebration on Rod Laver Arena.
The win marks Alcaraz’s first Australian Open final appearance and makes him the youngest man in the Open era to reach finals at all four majors, keeping his bid for a career Grand Slam very much alive.
On Sunday, Alcaraz will face either defending champion Jannik Sinner or legend Novak Djokovic for the title and a match that could crown him a career Grand Slam champion at just 22 years old.
Image credit: BBC