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Alexander Zverev snuffed out a thrilling comeback effort from Carlos Alcaraz to reach the Australian Open semi-final. tennis ball feeder
Zverev put on a serving masterclass to take a commanding 6-1, 6-3, 5-2 lead and was two points from victory inside two hours. He was making wonderkid Alcaraz look human. But Alcaraz suddenly regained his magic touch to devastating effect.
He broke back and, in a tiebreak performance for the ages, recovered from a 2-0 deficit to hit three stunning passing shots on his forehand and win seven points in a row. He quite literally sent 6ft 6in Zverev tumbling to the ground with his shot-making and pushed the match to an unlikely fourth set.
It looked to be the start of an all-time great comeback by the 20-year-old, and stirred memories of the only time Zverev has ever let a two-set lead slip away from him: the 2020 US Open final loss to Dominic Thiem.
But Zverev, 26, kept his nerve and survived the tidal wave of momentum, securing the win at his second attempt, 6-1, 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-4. He admitted after that he had one foot in the next round, and a mental lapse contributed to him letting Alcaraz back into the match.
“When you’re 6-1, 6-3, 5-2, you start thinking [about winning],” Zverev said in his on-court interview. “Your brain starts going. But I’m playing one of the best players in the world. I’m really pleased with the way I fought back in the fourth set. I stayed mentally strong.”
Sit back and enjoy this 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 exchange between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev 👀🍿#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ooAmpVZCPO
It was one of the best results of Zverev’s career: his first win over a top-five player at a major tournament and saw him reach his seventh grand slam semi-final, where he will play Daniil Medvedev on Friday.
Zverev’s success on the court exists in sharp contrast to the serious controversy following him off it. Last week news broke that Zverev will face a public trial in Germany this May, after he appealed a penalty order of 450,000 euros which he was dealt by a judge over domestic abuse charges. He has denied all allegations, and has brushed questions aside during press conferences in Melbourne.
That trial is due to take place during the French Open and Wimbledon but, for now in Australia, he was fully locked into the tennis and by far the better player against Alcaraz. For two and a bit sets, we saw Alcaraz could barely compete. It was one of the most one-sided matches of this entire men’s tournament. Alcaraz was a subdued, sub-par version of himself. Zverev meanwhile was close to his very best.
The Australian Open is the grand slam event that Alcaraz has had the least success at so far in his relatively short career, as the only major he has not reached at least the semi-final at.
He has been without his coach and mentor Juan Carlos Ferrero, who skipped the trip due to recovering from knee surgery. Alcaraz also took a considerable risk by not playing a single warm-up tournament before Melbourne, and that perhaps meant he was not yet peaking at this late stage.
And yet expectations remained understandably high for the world No 2 and reigning Wimbledon champion, who reached at least the last four of the previous five majors he played.
So when Alcaraz lost the first set 6-1 in 29 minutes, it was brutal, but there was no immediate panic. He lost the opener to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final by the same scoreline –and we all know how that turned out for him.
When he went two sets down within 71 minutes though, the nerves were palpable and worried expressions spread among his team in his player box. If he wanted to remain in the tournament, he was going to have to do something he had never done before: recover from a two-set deficit.
That looked unlikely, as Zverev’s level was unplayable for long swathes of the match, and the Spaniard was spewing errors. Zverev missed only four first serves in the opener, barely giving Alcaraz a look in. Meanwhile Alcaraz’s second serve was being annihilated and he lacked confidence on his favoured forehand. He hit an uncharacteristic 21 unforced errors in the first two sets, to Zverev’s nine.
The sudden level he found to storm back from 5-2 down in the third set took the Rod Laver Arena by storm. His worried frown turned to that familiar winning smile when he swept a drop shot beyond Zverev’s reach to break back when the German served for the match. He came alive and pushed Zverev to an invigorating tiebreak, where he played the best tennis of the match.
Momentum alone could not carry him though and, even as Alcaraz kept the pressure high, Zverev’s consistently brilliant serving won the day. Based on making 84.6 per cent of first serves, this ranked as the second best serving performance of his grand slam career, and fellow sharp-shooter Nick Kyrgios marvelled at his work in the commentary booth. “Gee whizz, look at that placement,” he said, heaping the praise on Zverev. Alcaraz then played a loose service game late in the fourth set, and Zverev seized the opportunity to win the match just after 1am.
There were questions about Zverev’s fitness going forward though as, ahead of the fourth set, he took a medical timeout for blood blisters on his feet and was limping on a few points. With two previous five-setters already in his legs, the match against Alcaraz brought Zverev close to 17 hours on court this tournament – more than any player. But he played down injury suggestions with Jim Courier in his on-court interview.
Zverev will face a huge test against Medvedev next, a player he has a 11-7 losing record against. They played each other six times last season, with Medvedev winning five of those encounters.
The men’s semi-finals are set:
He’s been kicking my ass in recent matches. I’m hoping that this will be the place that that changes. We the players say that the US Open has the loudest crowd, but I think the Australian Open crowd is the best.
They have real tennis knowledge. They are respectful, they know when to be loud, when to be quiet. I hope I can get some support for the match with Medvedev.
When you’re 6-1, 6-3, 5-2, you start thinking [of winning]. Your brain starts going. But I’m playing one of the best players in the world.
I’m really pleased of the way I fought back in the fourth set. I stayed mentally strong.
The stars align for Sascha in Melbourne ✨@AlexZverev returns to the AO semifinals and is one step closer to a maiden Grand Slam trophy ✨@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/WLYySu0iYz
Zverev couldn’t get it done 45 minutes ago. Can he do it this time?
Alcaraz nets a backhand on the opening point. But then Zverev pushes a tight backhand volley long, 15-15.
Perfect serve placement by Zverev and Alcaraz nets his return, 30-15. Alcaraz drop shot, Zverev gets there again but the ball sits up for Alcaraz to finish with a forehand winner.
Backhand long from Alcaraz, 40-30. GAME SET MATCH ZVEREV. Alcaraz forehand long and it’s all over.
Alcaraz drops his level and as we enter the third hour of the match, Zverev gets two break points.
And Zverev only needs one, digging out a backhand down the line and Alcaraz’s volley goes into the net.
Zverev will try and serve for the match again.
Since the two breaks of service at the start of the set, both players have been serene on serve.
Alcaraz drop shot, Zverev sets off after it and gets the ball over but he pulls up limping, 40-30. Zverev forehand long after a 22-shot rally.
Alcaraz has to keep Zverev on the run here and work that ankle.
Insane tennis, Alcaraz shows unreal speed to stay in the rally but Zverev keeps his composure on the volley and Alcaraz nets.
More sensational shot making by both players, Alcaraz thinks he has taken control of the point but Zverev finds the forehand pass and Alcaraz can’t get his volley over the net.
Sit back and enjoy this 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 exchange between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev 👀🍿#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ooAmpVZCPO
Bit of luck for Alcaraz as his drop shot clips the net and drops on Zverev’s side, 40-0. Alcaraz keeps his slender leads when his wide serve is unreturned.
Approaching the business end of the set now. Pressure is starting to rise.
Seventh ace of the match from Zverev to hold serve to 15. A bit of a lull in the match. Waiting for it to spark into life again.
Alcaraz is getting 87 per cent of first serves into play in this set, his highest number of the match.
First serves in equals more straightforward games and Alcaraz holds to 15. It’s a party atmosphere on RLA.
Zverev continues to serve very impressively. This game was much like the first two sets, finding the lines with speed and accuracy. He holds to 15 with an ace.
Momentum is beginning to shift. A few more errors from Zverev, whose movement all of a sudden looks a bit sluggish. Alcaraz holds to 15 with ease.
Back comes Alcaraz. He is starting to work out the Zverev serve now and he earns himself two break points.
Zverev saves the first. But not the second. Alcaraz draws Zverev into the net with a sliced backhand, Zverev hits a sliced approach, Alcaraz strikes his backhand down the line and Zverev nets a volley.
Alcaraz breaks back and we’re back on serve!
That tiebreak was “insane”, as Nick Kyrgios put it on commentary. Alcaraz hit three passing shot winners on his forehand wing, coming from 2-0 down to win seven points in a row. He literally sent Zverev sprawling to the ground, and the crowd lapped it up.
Easy to forget that, at one point in this third set, he was two points from being dumped out of the tournament. Now the momentum is fully with him and, crucially, the smile is back on Alcaraz’s face.
Can Zverev cope with an Alcaraz comeback is the big question?
Some treatment for Zverev before the start of this set. It becomes a medical timeout for a right ankle issue.
Alcaraz will need to compose himself after the dramatic end to that set. But he is far too casual again and gets caught out at the net by Zverev. Two break points.
Alcaraz saves the first. But not the second as Alcaraz puts his forehand into the tramlines.
Zverev ahead again. Great mental recovery.
Alcaraz forehand winner, 5-2. Oh my word. What a sequence of points from Alcaraz. He hits his third forehand passing shot of the tie break, 6-2.
Zverev slices a forehand into the net and Alcaraz takes the third set, 7-2.
Incredible end to the set.
Alcaraz in full control, he should win the point but plays a casual drop shot into the net, 0-1. Great defence from Zverev amid big pressure from Alcaraz and the Spaniard hits a forehand wide, 0-2.
Alcaraz first serve unreturned, 1-2. Zverev doesn’t do enough with his approach and Alcaraz makes the forehand pass, 2-2.
Sensational running forehand from Alcaraz beats Zverev at the net, 3-2. Down goes Zverev as he tries to reach Alcaraz’s backhand down the line and Alcaraz puts away the drive backhand at the net, 4-2.
"NOOOOO" @NickKyrgios' reaction to this Carlo Alcaraz shot says 𝐈𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐋 🤩#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/zKkWssFWGg
Alcaraz is finding his spots on serve now and the confidence is starting to grow. He moves to 40-15 with a forehand winner and books a tie break when Zverev nets a backhand return.
Half-heartedly, Nick Kyrgios on commentary says: “Was this Alcaraz’s plan all along? Two sets down and a break?”
Zverev keeps his nerve, holds to 15 and asks Alcaraz to hold his own to force a tiebreak.
Alcaraz has given himself a timely lift but he’s still serving to stay in the set here. He goes for too much with a forehand and nets, 15-30.
Alcaraz gets Zverev on the run and draws the forehand error, 30-30. Huge point coming up.
Alcaraz places a wide serve to perfection and Zverev goes long with his return. Jaw dropping foot speed by Alcaraz to hunt down a Zverev drop volley and flick a backhand up the line for a winner.
𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐎𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐙 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 👏 The reaction says it all 👀#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/RKzTWciBOK
Good start to the game from Alcaraz as he goes on the attack and Zverev nets a defensive backhand, 0-15. Zverev forehand into the net, 0-30.
First sign of nerves from Zverev.
214km/h ace down the T from Zverev. Then another swinging ace beats Alcaraz. Exceptional serving when it mattered most.
Passive forehand approach by Zverev, Alcaraz whips a forehand down the line and Zverev nets a volley. Break point of the match for Alcaraz.
Alcaraz on the attack, he pushes Zverev wide and finishes with a drop volley winner to break.
The crowd comes alive and we might just have a match again.
A rare game from Alcaraz where he doesn’t overplay and is controlled with his shot-making.
A world class half volley backhand winner down the line seals the game and forces Zverev to serve for the match.
I said at the start that Zverev’s second serve would be important today but it hasn’t had to be given the amount of first serves he’s made.
He hits his first double fault of the match to make it 15-all but responds by finding back-to-back first serves which are unreturned by Alcaraz. The Spaniard has had no answer on the returns.
Incredible backhand down the line from Zverev to hold serve and move a game away from the last four.
"I mean, 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄" 🤩 It's safe to say that @NickKyrgios is impressed with Alexander Zverev 👏#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/dLLVSjk8iK
Alcaraz keeps himself alive with a service hold to love. Perhaps he can build some belief from that because he is staring down the brink.
The atmosphere on Rod Laver Arena is very flat. I don’t think anyone was expecting this. But full credit to Zverev, who has had a gameplan and executed it to perfection.
Alcaraz has lost all confidence in his forehand. He slumps forward after another miss makes it 40-15. Couple of rare errors from Zverev and it’s deuce.
But Zverev gets two first serves into play and forces Alcaraz into errors on his backhand side.
The German is two games away from the semi-finals.
Alcaraz is in desperate need of some inspiration. He hasn’t looked like himself on his forehand and a poor drop shot makes it 0-30.
Another Alcaraz forehand error makes 15-40. He saves the first break point. Can he save a second? Yes, he can. He finds a good angle with his forehand and Zverev nets a defensive backhand, deuce.
Double fault Alcaraz. That was the pressure getting to him. Third break point. Alcaraz backhand long and Zverev breaks him for the fifth time.
More of the same from Zverev as he continues to impose himself on the match with his serve.
It has been a serving masterclass and Alcaraz is running out of time.
Zverev in complete control here. Key stat is he has only missed four first serves over those two sets, truly remarkable serving.
Alcaraz had his chances, with two break points at 3-2. He will no doubt regret the backhand which he netted on one of those. But Zverev otherwise hardly gave him a chance, and Alcaraz can only hope he can sharpen up his own game and the German loses some of his nerve and rhythm as this match goes on.
An Alcaraz comeback would be a first for the Spaniard though, as he has never come back from losing the first two sets of a match in his entire career.
Better from Alcaraz as he holds to 15 but his body language is far from convincing. The young man looks short on ideas about how to turn this around.
He’s been two sets down on six previous occasions and never fought back to win.
Zverev continues to look unflustered and untroubled on serve. He’s in a great rhythm, finding first serves with ease. He’s missed five first serves all match so far.
And he holds to 15 to start the set. He’s taken the racket out of the hands of Alcaraz.
Alcaraz looking a bit dispirited out there. He can’t break down the Zverev defences and is playing on the back foot.
Zverev in comparison is playing at the top of his game and he earns a break point when Alcaraz nets a backhand.
Zverev duly takes the set when Alcaraz tries to be clever with a sliced forehand down the line but the ball drops in the tramlines.
Zverev is two sets to love up on the world No 2.
Zverev holds to love to consolidate the break and move a game away from a two-set leave.
Only one hour and seven minutes played. This has been quick and ruthless from the German.
Zverev blasts a forehand down the line for a winner, 15-30. He’s been striking that shot superbly. Alcaraz tries a very ambitious drop shot but is nowhere near making it and the ball hits the net, deuce.
Big chance for Zverev to give himself a break point after Alcaraz does really well to make a volley off a Zverev forehand down the line. But when Zverev approaches the short ball he puts his backhand into the tramlines.
Brutal 16 shot rally, Zverev holds his nerve at the net and Alcaraz nets a backhand. Break point for the German.
Alcaraz is handed a time violation after taking too long before serving. Zverev is aggressive from the get-go off Alcaraz’s second serve, he approaches with a forehand and Alcaraz nets his attempted backhand pass.
Here comes Alcaraz. His best point of the match as he dictates the rally with a series of forehands and finishes with a forehand into the corner, 15-30.
More forehands from Alcaraz rushes Zverev into an error, two break points. Zverev saves the first. Then the second when Alcaraz nets a backhand just as he was starting to take charge of the rally. Deuce.
Zverev sees off the danger by finding his first serve when it mattered most.
Best service game of the match from Alcaraz as he holds serve to love with an ace. Has he finally turned up?
Alcaraz vents towards his support box after netting a backhand. He’s still trying to force it while the clean tennis and clear thinking is coming from Zverev. A forehand long and Zverev holds.
If Alcaraz was looking for a positive omen, he can take comfort in the fact that the last time he lost the opening set of a grand slam match 6-1, he went on to beat Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.
Alcaraz holds to 15 to keep himself in front.
The subdued response from the crowd as Zverev brutally dispatched that set in just 29 minutes told a story. The Melbourne fans might have expected the Alcaraz show, but this was Zverev fully in control and serving like a machine, nearly at 90 per cent of first serves in.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz had just two winners to 11 unforced errors, far from the stylish, showtime tennis we have come to expect from the young Spaniard. He has been firmly put in his place by Zverev so far.
Key to remember that Zverev narrowly leads their head-to-head 4-3, but Alcaraz won their last best-of-five meeting at the US Open last September. This is far from over, but lots of work for Alcaraz to do.
Zverev made 16 of 18 first serves in that opening set. Alcaraz hit 11 unforced errors and two winners. Easy to see why it was won so convincingly by Zverev. And he sails through another service game with a hold to 15.
Better from Alcaraz as he moves to 40-15 with a forehand winner and holds when Zverev strikes a forehand long.
Alcaraz really struggling to find the court with his shots. Should probably write off this set and focus on set two.
Three set points for Zverev after Alcaraz nets a tame drop shot. Ace by Zverev to complete a near flawless set of tennis.
Work to do for Alcaraz.
More problems on serve for Alcaraz. He hasn’t settled yet, trying too much to get back into the game. The Spaniard nets a forehand to slip to 15-30.
Brilliant backhand return by Zverev and Alcaraz can’t get the ball into play. Zverev is striking his backhand beautifully at the moment, absolutely ripping the ball.
He then rips a forehand down the line for a winner to bring up a break point. Alcaraz forehand into the net and he gifts another break to Zverev.
There are a few stunned fans who were not expecting this. Zverev to serve for the set.
All aspects of Zverev’s game are working right now. He’s happy to attack the net and finish with a backhand volley winner to move 30-0 ahead. An ace makes it 40-0.
And he closes out the game to love when Zverev nets a backhand.
Alcaraz is having to work for very point at the moment. Zverev continues to strike the ball very cleanly, with depth and power. He drills a forehand down the line to take the game to deuce.
But Alcaraz gets his first game on the board when Zverev puts a forehand into the tramlines.
Zverev has made nine of 10 first serves and he holds to 15 to secure the perfect start.
Things to think about for Alcaraz here. Zverev is hitting his spots and Alcaraz is finding it tough to read them.
Shaky start from Alcaraz as he slips to 0-30 after a double fault and backhand into the net. A forehand long and he puts himself in a bit of a hole in this service game. Three break points.
And Zverev breaks at the very first opportunity. Deep forehand return by Zverev means Alcaraz flicks a half volley short and he’s punished with Zverev whips a forehand into the corner and Alcaraz can’t get the ball into play.
Alexander Zverev breaks to love and has had the 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 against Carlos Alcaraz! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/38YGwIicUW
One of the keys to the match will be how much Alcaraz can attack Zverev’s second serve. It’s an area of improvement for Zverev but can still be vulnerable in the tight moments.
Zverev makes a clean start with a service hold to 15.
The players walk onto court for their showdown. Big difference in terms of crowd reception. The fans on Rod Laver Arena definitely seem to favour Alcaraz over Zverev.
You can follow both matches on Telegraph Sport tomorrow.
Comeback Queen 👑 Zheng Qinwen storms back from a set down against Kalinskaya to book her place in the semifinals, 6-7(4) 6-3 6-1 👏#AusOpen • #AO2024 • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/MzuXFcGv4K
Carlos Alcaraz has now reached the QFs of every Grand Slam at least once. Australian Open - 2024 Roland Garros - 2022, 2023 Wimbledon - 2023 US Open - 2021, 2022, 2023 pic.twitter.com/sg29eUFfxD
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Good morning and welcome to coverage of the last men’s quarter-final match at the Australian Open between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev.
This is the eighth meeting between the two players with Zverev leading the head-to-head 4-3. In Melbourne, Zverev has spent more time on court and played more sets (17-13) compared to Alcaraz but the German insists he has plenty left in the tank.
“If you play less, you are fresher, but I feel okay,” he said. “I’m not like the US Open where I was completely dead and where I feel like I’m physically exhausted.
“I’m tired, for sure, because I played 7-6 in the fifth set again two times out of the last three matches, but I’m not dead. I’m not completely exhausted. I’m not in the same physical state I was in the US Open.
“I expect it to be very different, to be honest.”
For Alcaraz, he is aiming to stay on course for a potential final showdown with world No 1 Novak Djokovic on Sunday and says he’s playing with full confidence.
“I’m feeling better and better every day,” he said. “I’m feeling better and better every match that I’m playing. Coming into the quarterfinal with a lot of confidence.
“I will try to take this as an advantage, the confidence that I have and the level that I’m playing. But hopefully in the quarterfinals against Sascha, will play a better match than today.
“He is a really great player. He has beaten great guys here in this tournament. Obviously I love playing against him. It’s always a tough battles. I have to play my best level. He pushed me to play 100 per cent every time.
“The last time we faced each other, I lost. So I have to be focused on that. I have to improve my level from that match. I’m going to enjoy the match and playing the quarter-finals against him.
I think for the crowd it’s going to be a great match, as well.
Tennis ball machine Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic will meet in the first semi-final on Friday while Daniil Medvedev awaits the winner of Alcaraz and Zverev.