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Jack Snape
A weary Alexander Zverev described the decision to allow a medical timeout for a cramping Carlos Alcaraz in their epic Australian Open semi-final as “bullshit”, but didn’t want the matter to take the focus off the quality of Friday’s memorable encounter.
The German failed to capitalise on breaks in the second and fifth sets, as the world No 1 rallied from his physical ailments to win 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4) 7-5 in five hours and 27 minutes.
Tournament rules allow medical timeouts for injuries but not muscle cramps. However, the decision is left to the attending physio and doctor.
Alcaraz clutched at the inside of his right groin late in the third set and was moving gingerly – indicating either cramp or a more severe injury – and was allowed a medical timeout after seeking attention from the physio.
Zverev, the world No 3, was incensed in the moment and swore at an official as the Spaniard took on fluids, an indication he was trying to alleviate cramp. “He was cramping, so normally you can’t take a medical timeout for cramping,” Zverev said. “I just said it was bullshit, basically.”
ShareMatch reportJack Snape
Murmurs around Melbourne Park had been building. That the men’s Australian Open draw had not met expectations in 2026. That matches had been one-sided, and lacking memorable moments. That so-called SinCaraz was a foregone conclusion. That tennis had lost its touch.
Murmur no more. In this year’s first match on Rod Laver Arena to go five sets, Carlos Alcaraz leapt off the canvas to outlast Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 over five hours and 27 minutes – the third longest match in Australian Open history.
It was so long it pushed the second men’s semi-final back more than an hour and left thousands watching on big screens around Melbourne Park. It was filled with more twists and turns than the Great Ocean Road. It was a duel that tossed expectation out the window, and then opened the door and walked out as well.
But that feels like a very apt time for me to wrap.
I’ve been Joey Lynch and thanks to you all for your company. Be sure to open up our separate, night session minute-by-minute for Novak Djokovic (4) and Jannik Sinner (2).
Wow.
Updated at 04.29 EST
Thank god I don’t have to blog Novak Djokovic (4) and Jannik Sinner (2). I don’t know how anyone that was following the ups and downs of that will have the emotional energy to do anything for the rest of the evening. Now imagine how the players feel!
I can’t quite comprehend it. Lions wish they had Alcaraz’s heart. That’s incredible.
He’s somehow fought through an injury that looked set to retire him and instead triumphed in five hours and 27 minutes – the third longest match in Australian Open history.
Updated at 04.23 EST
Alcaraz defeats Zverev in an all-time classic — 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (4-7), 7-5
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 7-5 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) This feels like a career-defining moment for Zverev. He must hold to say alive.
Zverev takes the first point, but Alcaraz responds. The German then moves back ahead, but the Spaniard answers back once again with a leaping forehand Zverev can’t contain. The third seed gets ahead once more to set up the hold, and the top seed sends it to deuce.
ZVEREV THEN HOOKS A FOREHAND WIDE! ADVANTAGE ALCARAZ! MATCH POINT ALCARAZ! im losing my mind.
ASFKJGFAS{OGFJHSA}FOILGHBA}SOGIGIH
ALCARAZ IS THROUGH TO THE FINAL! ZVEREV SENT HIS BACKHAND INTO THE NET!
Wow. Wow wow wow. Photograph: Martin Keep/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 04.27 EST
Alcaraz could hardly walk at the end of the third set. Heck, on some those points he flat out couldn’t – manipulating Zverev around the court with his shot placement to send it to a tiebreaker he’d eventually lose.
A game into the fourth set, Zverev started walking towards the net thinking the Spaniard was about to retire, only to course-correct when the Spaniard kept moving on the change of ends.
But now, after seeing off Zverev serving for the match, Alcaraz is ahead. And for the first time in hours, it feels like momentum is in his corner.
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 6-5 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) The crowd can hardly contain its volume with each point now, although there’s clearly more enthusiasm evident when Alcaraz moves ahead, compared to when Zverev brings it back to 15-15.
On second serve, Alcaraz masterfully constructs the next point and moves back ahead when Zverev sends a backhand long. A drop shot and then a forehand then sees him secure the hold. Remarkable.
Updated at 04.17 EST
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 5-5 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev* (3) ALCARAZ BREAKS ZVEREV! THE SPANIARD LIVES! WE’RE STILL GOING!
Zverev looks to get to the net and take control but Alcaraz stands his ground on the baseline and whips a passing shot beyond him to take the opening point. It’s then 0-30 when Zverev whips a backhand into the net. Huge point coming up.
After a decent exchange, Alcaraz goes around a forehand, attempting to drive the ball into the corner, but drags it wide. But Alcaraz gets far better set for his next forehand and he brings up two break points!
After another exchange, Zverev goes long with the backhand, giving the break back to Alcaraz! Rod Laver explodes!
Unreal tennis from Alcaraz. Photograph: Edgar Su/ReutersShare
Updated at 04.09 EST
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 4-5 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) The weight of the world – and his hopes of becoming the youngest man to ever complete a career Grand Slam – on his shoulders, Alcaraz forces Zverev into an error to open the game.
A forehand sent wide brings Zverev back into it but the world number one responds with a forehand winner and a then a drop shot that induces an error from the German.
Zverev forces the error to keep the game alive but Alcaraz then induces his opponent into sending a forehand long. The Spaniard holds but the third seed will now serve for the match.
Just the five hours and eight minutes so far… Photograph: Martin Keep/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 04.07 EST
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 3-5 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev* (3) Alcaraz plays to the crowd as the pair make their way out for the next game – seeking to feed off their energy and somehow find a way over the line.
An unforced forehand and backhand error then move the Spaniard into a 0-30 lead but Zverev once again steadies and claims the next three points as the clock ticks over five hours of match time.
Only Alcaraz isn’t done yet, earning a deuce after Zverev commits an error and then bringing up break point by racing forward to dig out a forehand into the German he can only follow into space.
A 13-shot baseline rally follows – it almost feeling like nobody in the crowd dare draw breath – but Zverev survives when Alcaraz sends a shot into the net. But the crowd roars once more, egged on by the Spaniard, when the German’s attempt to cut off a passing shot ricochets off his racquet!
But none for four on break points this set, Alcaraz then moves to none for five: swinging a forehand long and wide to let Zverev off the hook once more.
It’s then the turn of the third seed to take the advantage, getting to the net to meet a drop shot and firing a forehand beyond the world number one. He then shows the ruthless edge he’s been accused of lacking too many times in the past: whipping a remarkable forehand, an incredible forehand, down the line to take the game.
If he can break Alcaraz, Zverev is off to the final.
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 3-4 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) The margins are getting very, very tight for Alcaraz and his hopes of pulling off something incredible but he does what he needs to do in this one: racing to a 40-0 lead that provides him with the buffer needed to absorb a forehand winner from Zverev and secure the hold on the next point.
Updated at 03.46 EST
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 2-4 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev* (3) Alcaraz once again moved to get the crowd into things after that last hold. We then have a short delay before Zverev’s next serve – the German needing to wash something down with an extra swig of water before he can resume what is now the longest match of his career.
An unreturnable serve moves the German ahead and he then forces Alcaraz into a forehand error to end a nine-shot rally, before Alcaraz responds with a powerful forehand winner to get on the board.
And then, a moment of magic! Alcaraz sprints across the court and somehow manages to slip a cross-court forehand volley across the face of Zverev. This bloke could hardly walk a few hours ago and now he’s doing that! Break point then follows with a huge forehand! The crowd is loving it!
Zverev, though, is able to steady, bringing up deuce and then moving into the advantage when a lengthy exchange ends with him driving a forehand beyond the reach of Alcaraz, who hunches down in exhaustion after the 17-shot baseline battle. The hold is then consolidated as you might expect: a dominant serve driven down and proving unreturnable for Alcaraz.
Alex Zverev is closing in on an incredible comeback on Rod Laver. Photograph: David Gray/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 03.49 EST
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 2-3 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) Anyone rocking up to Rod Laver with tickets to watch Jannik Sinner (2) take on Novak Djokovic (4) has had to find somewhere to park themselves and wait, as that match, which was scheduled to start just about now, is going to have to wait for this remarkable contest to end.
A break at this point likely backbreaking, Alcaraz falls behind early but is able to rally back and take a 40-30 lead. But Zverev recovers and we move to deuce for a second-straight game when Alcaraz’s cross-court volley at the net sails out.
The Spaniard moves into the advantage with a serve-and-backhand combination but commits an unforced forehand error off Zverev’s return on the next exchange. Another forehand winner is sent clear of Zverev and gives Alcaraz another chance at the hold and this time he converts when the German is caught scrambling after a drop shot and shoots a shot into the net.
Updated at 03.49 EST
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 1-3 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev* (3) A big backhand soars beyond Alcaraz and gives Zverev the first point, and he gets further in front after moving the Spaniard around and inducing him to fire into the net. A 180 km/h second serve proves unreturnable and moves the German further ahead but Alcaraz is able to rally by claiming the next three points, sending it to deuce!
Break point is then secured with a commanding forehand winner by the world number one – the first one Zverev has been forced to defend since the second set – but the German utilises his powerful serve to see of the danger. Zverev again uses his serve to cramp Alcaraz and induce an error for the advantage but can’t convert: sending a backhand from the baseline into the net.
A second break point is then brought up when Zverev’s attempted volley at the net goes straight down and finds the net but, once more, that powerful serve comes to the aid of the German: sending a delivery down the T that Alcaraz can’t return. The exact same pattern plays out to move the third seed into the advantage. And then, finally, he’s able to secure the hold when a brief baseline exchange ends with Alcaraz fires a forehand into the net.
Updated at 03.46 EST
If Zverev takes this one from here, I’m going to need someone to whip up an ‘Undertaker loses at Wrestlemania’ type meme to show the German as the 1 in 59-1.
Carlos Alcaraz has never lost a match when two sets up.
59-0
😮
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2026
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 1-2 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) Desperately needing a hold, Alcaraz whips down a serve that Zverev can’t return to open the game and then follows that up with an ace.
A sublime drop shot gets Zverev on the board – not sure Alcaraz is getting to that when fully fit and fresh, let alone hobbled and in a fifth set – but the Spaniard strengthens his position when he watches a Zverev forehand sail long.
The hold is then brought up when Alcaraz fires across a serve that Zverev hooks on the attempted forehand return.
Photograph: Rachel Bach/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 03.46 EST
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 0-2 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev* (3) Zverev appears to have starred down the mental challenge from Alcaraz refusing to die and answered it. And, at the risk of jinxing him, this looks like his match to lose.
Zverev moves out to a 30-0 lead and while Alacaraz is able to register a point that prevents the hold to love, the German then uses his superior mobility to take the next two points – a dashing move to the net and backhand coming on the latter – and consolidate the break.
Updated at 03.45 EST
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 0-1 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) The first fifth set on Rod Laver this tournament – and just the third in the second week of a Grand Slam since the start of 2025 – gets underway with Alcaraz on serve. And it ends in the best possible manner for Zverev: securing a huge break!
The Spaniard, who has a top record in five set matches but who has never been forced into one after taking a two set lead, takes out the first two points only to be pegged back to 30-30 by Zverev. A big forehand winner sent down the line by Alcaraz brings the crowd to their feet but a lengthy exchange as he seeks to hold instead ends with him being forced to send a shot into the net – moving us to deuce.
A forehand sent long brings up break point and then a double fault seals it!
Updated at 03.45 EST
Zverev sends the semifinal to a fifth set!
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 6-7 (7-4) 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) We’re approaching the four-hour mark of this match and it’s absolutely gripping.
Zverev fires down a dominant 201 km/h ace to move ahead but Alcaraz responds with an unreturnable serve whipped across the German.
Zverev gets the minibreak! He sprints forward on to save a drop shot and then whipping an attempted passing shot back behind him and away from Alcaraz. But Alcaraz gets it right back and then moves ahead with another! And then Zverev gets it back!
Extreme swings of momentum in these past few exchanges as the pair change ends, four hours now officially on the clock. Things level at 3-3, Alcaraz whips a wide serve down and Zverev can’t return it but the German then delivers a huge 201 km/h offering of his own that the Spaniard fails to make proper contact on.
Zverev gets a crucial hold of serve when a forehand return from Alcaraz goes just long and then brings up two set points when the top seeds makes an error on a backhand.
An eight-shot rally then breaks out, one that’s ended when Zverev whips a driven forehand winner beyond Alcaraz. We’re off to a fifth set!
Updated at 03.45 EST
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 6-6 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) Alcaraz with his most dominant service game since his physical issues arose: holding to love and sending this to a tiebreak.
Updated at 03.45 EST
If you’re Jannik Sinner (2) and/or Novak Djokovic (4) you’ve got to be loving this. You’re either going to get an Alcaraz who is clearly battling something in the final, or you’re getting a Zverev forced to battle and sweat through a five set epic. A definite advantage if you’re able to get through tonight’s other semifinal quickly.
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 5-6 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev* (3) Zverev forces a couple of errors to race ahead but Alcaraz again gets that drop shot working to get back into it. Another attempted drop shot – it now his go-to weapon after the arrival of his physical issues late in the third set – falls short though and Zverev then brings up a comfortable hold.
The German needs a break to force a fifth set, otherwise we’re off to a third-straight tiebreak.
Updated at 03.45 EST
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 5-5 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) A couple of unforced errors open the door for Zverev (is this the much needed break he needs to open this match up? 👀) but Alcaraz again finds a way to rally – moving ahead 40-30 with a gorgeous forehand sent down the line and beyond Zverev’s reach.
Zverev storms the net to respond to a drop shot and stays there but Alcaraz is just too good, denying a couple of volleys before driving a passing shot through for the hold. He cups his hear to the crowd afterwards – the showman irrepressibly coming out of him.
Updated at 03.44 EST
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 4-5 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev* (3) Alcaraz, having rallied the crowd behind him after securing that last hold, sends a backhand into the net to give up the first point. The big German then starts to move through the gears – firing down a big ace to make it 40-0 and level the game at 138 points won each before then whipping down another ace.
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 4-4 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) Alcaraz gets moved back wide by Zverev’s forehand return and lifts a forehand of his own wide. An unforced error then moves the Spaniard further ahead – a break would do wonders for Zverev in both the context of the game and his own approach – but Alcaraz responds by taking the next three points.
The hold is then taken when Alcaraz gets Zverev lunging right with a first serve at just 177 km/h and then follows the meekly hit return with a drop shot winner.
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 3-4 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev* (3) A good and important hold from Zverev, moving through the gears to quickly secure the hold and keep this fourth set on serve.
Updated at 02.28 EST
This has to get into Zverev’s head, right?
He was able to take that third set and keep things going, but a hobbled Alcaraz saw off any attempts to break him early doors and now he’s starting to show signs of being able to move just a bit freer. He’s not going to be able to get back to 100%, you’d think, but will he be able to get himself back to a level that’s good enough?
With the crowd firmly behind the Spaniard, Zverev must be battling thoughts that his best chance to seize the initiative, and a rare chance to move past of the two titans that stand astride men’s tennis, has passed him by. Seeing out this set in commanding fashion would exorcise plenty of those demons, you’d think, so some crucial moments coming up.
Updated at 02.58 EST
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 3-3 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) A big, big moment arises for Zverev when be brings up two break points. A yuuuuge moment. But a commanding ace from Alcaraz erases one of those points and, moving much more freely, the Spaniard gets forward and places a forehand volley winner to bring up deuce.
Zverev then sends a baseline from the backhand into the net and then is forced into a backhand volley error to give up the hold.
Updated at 02.58 EST
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 2-3 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev* (3) A big forehand return moves Alcaraz ahead but Zverev responds by claiming the next two points.
The Spaniard answers back with a big forehand driven down the line and comes this close to bringing up break point when he is able to drag himself forward and whip a forehand beyond Zverev, only to send it just wide. A big serve down the T from the third seed then proves unreturnable, bringing up the hold.
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 2-2 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) Now, Alcaraz is looking a bit more limber… but he’s still stretching things out and holding just a bit back. And his serve remains all arm.
He sends a forehand into the net to give up the first point but levels things up after drawing Zverev in with a backhand and smashing a forehand beyond him. And there’s a cheeky smile from Alcaraz.
A big serve can’t be returned and moves the Spaniard ahead and though he promptly double faults, another deft drop shot and driven backhand that forces an error gives him the hold.
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 1-2 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev* (3) Alcaraz goes wide with a backhand to give up the first point but produces a remarkable backhand return to force Zverev into an error. The crowd are clearly rallying behind Alcaraz – the chair umpire having to remind them to restrain their cheering ahead of serves.
Zverev fires down a winner to move back ahead but commits an error to level things back up. A couple of commanding serves down the T, however, set the German up for the hold.
Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 1-1 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev (3) Right, how much power is Alcaraz going to be able to generate through the legs on his serve? Ok, clearly, nowhere near as much as he’s normally capable of. But can he recover enough to take another set and move into the final?
Zverev takes the first two points but an unforced error opens the door for the Spaniard, which he pushes open further by taking the next two points. Zverev gets forward to defend a drop shot and then forces deuce with an overhead smash winner but a really well-placed, 200 km/h serve down the T, even without the lower body drives, proves unreturnable.
An unforced error from Zverev brings out a yell of frustration by the German as the hold is secured.
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 0-1 6-7 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Alexander Zverev* (3) A little but more movement evident from Alcaraz in the first exchanges but he’s unable to lay a glove on Zverev – the German holding to love.
Heyyyooo, the German thought that Alcaraz was about to retire as they moved two change ends. There’s a little nod of contrition from Alcaraz as he corrects course and moves to the other side. We’re continuing.
Updated at 02.08 EST