Novak Djokovic overcame a major hurdle in his quest for a record 25th grand slam title after hitting back to beat Carlos Alcaraz and secure a place in the Australian Open semi-finals.
The 37-year-old may have looked rusty in the early rounds in Melbourne but he was back to his dominant best to see off the Spanish third seed 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 in three hours and 37 minutes.
He’s built different. 😤
Novak Djokovic prevails in a thrilling four-set quarterfinal encounter against Carlos Alcaraz! 👏@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/zRtEHAbJlA
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2025
He will face Alexander Zverev next following the German’s 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-0) 2-6 6-1 win over Tommy Paul.
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Leg trouble early on
Djokovic looked to be in trouble physically at the end of the first set as he limped round Rod Laver Arena only to roar back and repeat his win over Alcaraz in the final of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
It was a match of remarkable shot-making with both players looking on top at different stages. However, the crucial juncture arguably came at the end of the second set. With Djokovic still struggling he produced a brilliant game to break Alcaraz at 5-4 to level the match.
Had the Wimbledon champion moved two-sets up it would have been an awfully long way back but that shift in momentum provided the springboard for Djokovic to go on and win the match, prompting wild celebrations and a hug for new coach Andy Murray.
“If I had lost that second set, I don’t know if I would have continued playing but I felt better and better,” said the Serbian, who spoke on court after settling his row with Channel 9.
“I managed to play a great couple of games to close out the second set and then I saw Carlos was hesitant from the back of the court and I took my chances. Then I started to feel better, started to move better and it didn’t bother me or create any hinderance at the end of the match.
“When the medication starts to wear off, I will see what the reality is tomorrow morning. Right now, I will just try to be in the moment and enjoy this victory.”
Serbian hails King Carlos
Djokovic was quick to praise Alcaraz for his part in a wonderful contest.
He added: “I want to say my utmost respect and admiration for Carlos, everything he stands for and what he has already achieved in his young career. What a terrific guy he is and an even better competitor.
“He is the youngest ever number one in the history of our sport, four grand slams, so I’m sure we are going to see a lot of him. Maybe not as much as I would like, but he is going to be there longer than me for sure. I just wish this match today was the final.
“I don’t know if Sascha Zverev is still awake at 1am watching this, I’m sure his team is. That was just one of the most epic matches I have played on this court, on any court really! Thank you all so much for staying until 1am to watch and support us.”
Sascha Surges On ⚡️
Alexander Zverev advances to his third AO semifinal following a 7-6(1) 7-6(0) 2-6 6-1 win over Tommy Paul! 🇩🇪@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/PM7hKQ4f6j
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2025
Wasteful Paul bows out
Zverev will provide another stern test after proving his mettle in seeing off Paul. The 12th seeded American held points to win the first two sets but Zverev hit back each time before romping through the tie-breaks.
Paul showed plenty of grit to win the third but Zverev got the job done.
He admitted: “I should’ve been down two sets to love. I feel like I stole both of those sets in a way, because he was playing better than me, and he was serving for both of those sets.”
𝟭𝟵-𝟬 at Melbourne Park 😍
Aryna Sabalenka’s title defence is STILL ALIVE as she battles past Pavlyuchenkova’s challenge 6-2 2-6 6-3. #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/AyJnkxpyo8
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2025
Super Sabalenka marches on
Two-time defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka remains on course for a three-peat after overcoming a second-set wobble to see off Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 2-6 6-3 in their quarter-final.
It was just the second set the Belarusian has dropped in three years in Melbourne but she dug deep to edge through to a last-four meeting with close friend Paula Badosa.
“She played amazing tennis, very aggressive, I’m just super happy I was somehow magically able to win this match,” said the top seed.
“Sometimes it’s maybe good to have these tough battles, to go through it, to be tougher for the last stages of the tournament.”
Badosa stunned Coco Gauff 7-5 6-4 to reach the semi-final at a major for the first time.
“It was my third quarterfinals, and I don’t know. The last two were, like, I didn’t leave with a good feeling, so today I didn’t want to do that,” Badosa said.
“Even though win or lose, I wanted to go for it and be aggressive and play my game and don’t have regrets. That was my plan since the first minute I stepped on the court.”
