*Carlos Alcaraz 2-6 6-2 1-2 Novak Djokovic

That’s better from Djokovic. It’s been a while since he blasted the ball past Alcaraz from the baseline but he finds back-to-back down the line winners, from the forehand and then the backhand, to move to 40-0.

A love hold. Much needed.

Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 10:13

Carlos Alcaraz 2-6 6-2 1-1 Novak Djokovic*

Stunning from Alcaraz! He is starting to bring his magic as he produces the backhand pass, with Djokovic closing the net.

From the first set, dominated by Djokovic, Alcaraz is now able to move the ball around the court. Djokovic fires out against a jumping Alcaraz second serve.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 10:10

*Carlos Alcaraz 2-6 6-2 0-1 Novak Djokovic

Djokovic holds and hangs on. Alcaraz was jumping around the baseline hunting the chance, but nets on the forehand.

Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 10:07

Carlos Alcaraz 2-6 6-2 0-0 Novak Djokovic*

Djokovic emerges from his toilet break, with a long time between points, and continues to slump. Another error brings up 0-30 and an immediate chance for Alcaraz.

What a point! Djokovic drop shots and then forced Alcaraz to produce the lob-tweener from behind the baseline, that forces Djokovic into making the volley!

Djokovic then slumps a forehand into the net. Deuce.

Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 10:05

Carlos Alcaraz 2-6 6-2 0-0 Novak Djokovic*

Alcaraz is unhappy with the roof situation. It’s only partially closed on the Rod Laver Arena, but they have now closed it a bit more before the start of the third.

Alcaraz speaks to his box and then asks to see the tournament referee for some clarification while Djokovic is off court taking a toilet break.

The conditions in Melbourne are cold, gusty, and there were showers earlier in the day with the chance of more. Alcaraz would like the roof to be open when possible.

Tournament chief Craig Tiley is on his phone speaking to someone about the situation.

Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 10:01

SECOND SET! Carlos Alcaraz 2-6 6-2 Novak Djokovic

A complete reversal of the first set as Alcaraz levels the match.

Djokovic’s serving percentage fell off a cliff and there were just three winners to 11 unforced errors.

With Alcaraz raising his level, taking more control on the forehand exchanges and behind serve, his levels the final.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 09:55

BREAK! *Carlos Alcaraz 2-6 5-2 Novak Djokovic

Alcaraz senses his moment to strike as Djokovic dips. He errors on the backhand to bring up two break points for the Spaniard.

His first return goes long, then Djokovic goes T on the serve. But after Alcaraz gets his return back in play, Djokovic dumps the forehand into the net.

Break. Alcaraz will serve for the set and to level the match.

Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 09:52

Carlos Alcaraz 2-6 4-2 Novak Djokovic*

Alcaraz has upped his levels significantly and finds his fastest serve of the match so far to move to 40-0. Djokovic then stretches out on the return.

Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 09:48

*Carlos Alcaraz 2-6 3-2 Novak Djokovic

Class from Djokovic as he comes into the net and sticks the drop-volley. He is trying to find more accuracy on the serve, with his percentages falling sharply since the start of the second. Alcaraz nets on the return, though.

Alcaraz then nets on the drop shot.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 09:45

Carlos Alcaraz 2-6 3-1 Novak Djokovic*

Djokovic catches the very outside of the line with the backhand, then blasts a forehand at Alcaraz as he closes the net.

It was sailing out, but Alcaraz attempted to make a play on it, only to frame the volley. An opening for Djokovic on 15-30.

Djokovic yells in frustration as he can’t find accuracy, but he will get a break point as Alcaraz puts his forehand out! Tense from both.

Djokovic goes long on the forehand! He was not making those errors in the first set, when he was so sharp. He’s almost doubled his unforced error count already.

Alcaraz holds with a brilliant backhand pass as Djokovic closed the net! Great hold.

Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 09:41