Alexander Zverev holds off Carlos Alcaraz fightback to set up Daniil Medvedev semi-final at Australian Open

Updated 24/01/2024 at 14:58 GMT

Alexander Zverev is into the Australian Open semi-finals for a second time after shocking Carlos Alcaraz in four sets. A fantastic service display from Zverev saw him dominate the first two sets before Alcaraz came back from the brink to force a fourth set. Zverev recovered and managed to come out on top to set up a semi-final meeting against third seed Daniil Medvedev.

'Zverev is a warrior' - Alcaraz 'looked human' says Kyrgios after epic match

Alexander Zverev showed his mettle as he held off a stirring fightback from world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Zverev produced a serving masterclass over the first two hours of the quarter-final and had a chance to serve out a two-hour win at 5-4 up in the third set.

But the world No. 6 faltered and Alcaraz roared into life as he won seven successive points in the tie-break to claim the set.

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The momentum looked to be with Alcaraz, but it was Zverev who came up trumps as he broke again deep in the fourth and then served out a 6-1 6-3 6-7(2) 6-4 win at the second time of asking.

Zverev will be bidding to make his second Grand Slam final when he faces Daniil Medvedev in the last four on Friday.

Medvedev booked his place in the semis with a five-set win over Hubert Hurkacz earlier in the day.

Reflecting on his first top-five win at a Grand Slam, Zverev said: "I’m playing one of the best players in the world, in the last three years he’s been No.1 and No. 2 constantly.

"He’s won two Grand Slams and when you’re up 6-1 6-3 5-2 up, you start thinking. We’re all human... when you’re so close to winning, your brain starts going and it’s not always helpful. I’m happy that I got it in the end. I fought back well in the fourth set, didn’t let go and very happy to have finished the match."

Medvedev leads the head-to-head 11-7 against Zverev and won five of their six encounters last year, including a spicy clash in Monte Carlo after which Zverev called Medvedev “one of the most unfair players in the world”.

Any tension between the pair seems to have settled down since, but they will both have their eyes on reaching the final against either Novak Djokovic or Jannik Sinner.

Zverev made a perfect start against Alcaraz as he won eight of the first nine points.

“Shaky start,” said Nick Kyrgios on Eurosport commentary as Alcaraz double faulted on his first service point and then threw in two unforced errors as Zverev broke to love.

The early momentum was firmly with Zverev and two brilliant shots – a backhand ripped down the line and a forehand passing shot – set up another break-point chance.

He took it to lead 5-1, and confidently served out a 29-minute set as three successive Alcaraz misses were followed by an ace out wide.

With Alcaraz told he “really needs to up his game” by Kyrgios, the world No. 2 started the second set with a much-needed hold of serve.

Zverev stuns Alcaraz in four thrilling sets to reach semi-finals

He looked like he was hotting up as he won a 20-shot rally to earn his first chance to break at 15-40 in the fifth game.

But Zverev saved the first break point with a smash and then got to deuce as Alcaraz netted a backhand.

Zverev held and did not err when given an opportunity to break in the next game. After putting away a tricky volley to win a 16-shot rally at deuce he attacked the net on the following point and was rewarded with a miss from Alcaraz.

As Kyrgios said Alcaraz looked in a “load of strife”, things only got worse as Zverev’s fantastic serving continued with a love hold, before another break secured the set.

Zverev was handed even more control of the match as an Alcaraz double fault was followed by a wayward backhand for the first break in the third set.

As the German moved 5-2 up with a backhand winner arrowed down the line the match looked over.

'Bravo!' - Zverev wows Kyrgios and fans with incredible point against Alcaraz

Zverev, though, faltered when trying to serve out the win as Alcaraz broke for the first time.

That brought a smile to the face of the world No. 2, who then played a sublime tie-breaker as he roared back from 2-0 down to force a fourth set.

A superb running forehand passing shot made it 6-2 and Alcaraz was left grinning again as he took the set with a powerful backhand.

Alcaraz was 0-6 in trying to win from two sets down at Grand Slams, but as Zverev took a medical time out for treatment on his foot a comeback win didn’t look out of the question.

'He's a joke!' - Kyrgios can't believe his eyes as Alcaraz roars back against Zverev

The fourth set started with a trade of breaks and then went on serve until the drama ramped up in the eighth game.

Zverev dug deep for a lengthy hold, finally winning the game after a rally described as “insane” by Kyrgios.

A missed Alcaraz backhand gave Zverev two break points in the next game and he took the first to move a game away again. This time the German took his chance, pumping his fists in celebration after Alcaraz went long again.

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