Alcaraz Exits Australian Open as Zverev Secures Victory

Alexander Zverev seized his second opportunity to secure a victory over the No. 2-ranked Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday night, earning a well-deserved spot in the Australian Open semifinal against two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev.

In a remarkable performance, the sixth-seeded Zverev initially took charge, holding a break in the third set. Although he missed an earlier chance to serve out the win, Zverev displayed resilience, ultimately sealing a 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-4 triumph.

Carlos Alcaraz, the Wimbledon champion and the sole player to defeat Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam match last year, couldn’t replicate his success in Australia. Zverev’s victory marked his first win over a top-five player at a Grand Slam, propelling him into the semifinals for the seventh time in a major. His next challenge awaits in the form of Medvedev, who secured a hard-fought victory over Hubert Hurkacz in a four-hour battle.

Zverev, reflecting on the late-night victory in a 3 a.m. news conference, highlighted the significance of this win since returning from an ankle injury layoff that sidelined him from Wimbledon and the US Open in 2022. He expressed joy at being back in top form, emphasizing that he wasn’t considered a Slam contender last year.

Alcaraz, who missed the 2023 Australian Open due to injury, expressed disappointment with his performance but acknowledged reaching the quarterfinals as a positive run. Zverev dominated the match, demonstrating a commanding start and breaking Alcaraz’s serve twice in the second set.

The German player faced a tense moment when serving for the match at 5-3 in the third set, but after some back-and-forth, he eventually secured the victory. Zverev’s relief and celebration were evident as he let out a scream of triumph around 1:20 a.m. local time.

Zverev acknowledged the mental challenges of facing a formidable opponent like Carlos Alcaraz and credited his ability to fight back in the fourth set, ensuring he didn’t let the lead slip away.

The road to the Australian Open final is now paved for Alexander Zverev, and he looks ahead to a potential breakthrough against Medvedev, hoping this could be the turning point in their recent matchups.

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