Vintage Djokovic stuns Alcaraz to reach Australian Open semi-finals
The former world No 1 came from a set down to claim victory and set up a semi-final against Alexander Zverev
Julien Nouet
Ten-time champion Novak Djokovic produced a vintage performance as he held off Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday night to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open, moving him a step nearer to claiming a record 25th Grand Slam title.
The 37-year-old, beaten by Alcaraz in the final at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon last summer, came from a set down to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 just before 1am, setting up a clash with Alexander Zverev in what will be his 50th Grand Slam semi-final.
“I just wish this match today was a final, honestly,” Djokovic said. “One of the epic matches I’ve played on this court, on any court, really.”
Djokovic had treatment for a thigh injury late in the first set but shrugged it off, becoming more aggressive as the match went on.
“The medication started to kick in and they helped no doubt,” he said. “I had to take another dose. I didn’t know if I lost that second set, if I would continue playing, but I managed to feel a little better. I started to feel better, move better. It didn’t bother me or create any hindrance in that second and third set.”
Alcaraz takes opener but Djokovic hits back
On a windy night, with a cool change in the weather bringing the players and fans welcome respite from the heat, Alcaraz had the early lead but couldn’t convert his advantage as Djokovic slowly worked his way into the match, and then held on for victory.
Alcaraz was trying to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam, at 21, but he never looked entirely comfortable, while Djokovic’s depth off the ground forced him into making more and more errors from the baseline.
After breaking Alcaraz for 2-0, Djokovic gave the break straight back and things looked bleak when he took an injury timeout having been broken again for 5-4. When he returned, Alcaraz, who was already using the drop shot to good effect, served out the set and the 21-year-old seemed in command.
Djokovic had spent more than three hours more on court than Alcaraz but he broke again at the start of the second set on his way to a 3-0 lead and was moving well, suddenly becoming more aggressive, looking to end the points quicker. Again Alcaraz got the break back but at 4-5, two errors and two brilliant winners from Djokovic helped him break to level the match.
Djokovic wrestles control
Alcaraz was beginning to get frustrated with himself, apparently at his inability to hit his usually explosive forehand through the court in the cooling conditions. At 1-2 in the third set, he escaped from 0-30 but at 2-3, he double faulted and then missed a backhand to give Djokovic the break.
Again the break was snuffed out immediately by Alcaraz but he then played a poor game at 3-4 to be broken to love, Djokovic firing a forehand up the line to make it 5-3 and then holding serve after one of the best points of the match, chasing down a lob volley, hoisting a lob and then firing a backhand pass to clinch the set.
Djokovic holds on for victory
As he sat down on his chair at the end of the set, Alcaraz immediately got up again, cramp beginning to set in to his right leg. It was just a scare but Djokovic took advantage, breaking in the first game of the fourth set when Alcaraz blasted a forehand long.
Alcaraz continued to fight, missing a break point chance at 2-1 and then coming through another long game to lead 4-2.
The former world No 1 had a chance to get a second break but Alcaraz saved it after a stunning 33-shot rally, both players bent double afterwards and Alcaraz, remarkably, smiling from ear to ear.
The rally seemed to galvanise Alcaraz and after holding serve he got himself to 15-40 on the Djokovic serve, two chances to level. But Djokovic found something deep within him yet again, saving both and moving ahead again, despite slipping over behind the baseline.
Alcaraz held to force him to serve it out but he was equal to the task, holding on to seal a place in the semi-finals in Melbourne for the 12th time.
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