Novak Djokovic battled again from a set right down to defeat younger rival Carlos Alcaraz 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 at 12.57am to achieve the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
Within the newest chapter of a generational rivalry that has performed out on the largest levels, together with final 12 months’s Paris Olympics gold medal match-up, it was the 37-year-old Djokovic who maintained his hardcourt dominance over Alcaraz to make it via to a landmark fiftieth Grand Slam semi-final towards Alexander Zverez.
Coach Andy Murray, sat within the courtside field, additionally deserves credit score as a result of this was a tactical triumph as Djokovic blunted the firepower and spirit of his opponent earlier than the 21-year-old rallied in a spectacular denouement.
Defeat was a blow for Alcaraz because the French Open and Wimbledon champion’s bid to change into the youngest man to finish a profession Grand Slam went up in flames, and he was left to digest his third loss to Djokovic on the floor.
“Firstly I want to give my upmost respect and admiration for Carlos and everything he stands for – and what he has achieved so far in his young career,” mentioned Djokovic.
“What a terrific man he’s and even higher competitor… I simply want that this match right this moment was the ultimate, actually.
“It’s one of the most epic matches I’ve played on this court – on any court, really.”
A possible concern for Djokovic is a left-leg drawback that required remedy in the course of the opening set, however he appeared to enhance bodily because the match went on.
“Since I’m still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much obviously,” he mentioned. “The medication started to kick in and it helped, no doubt.
“If I would have misplaced the second set, I do not know if I might have continued enjoying. However I felt higher and higher, and performed a terrific couple of video games to take the second set.
“I saw that Carlos was a little hesitant from the back of the court and I took my chances, started to feel better and move better.
“When the medicine wears off, I will see what the truth is tomorrow morning. However proper now I will simply attempt to be within the second and revel in this victory.”
It took each males a little bit of time to settle into the competition in cool, windy circumstances.
Regardless of one unimaginable volley winner, Alcaraz dropped serve within the second recreation amid a slew of errors, solely to interrupt straight again, putting a backhand winner down the road.
The competition then ticked alongside routinely till the ninth recreation when, after an extended rally at 15-15, Djokovic crouched down wincing and gave a bit shake of the pinnacle in the direction of his field.
He managed to avoid wasting two break factors however not a 3rd and swiftly headed off court docket for a medical timeout.
He returned with strapping seen on his left thigh and Alcaraz served out the set, however Djokovic confirmed optimistic indicators early within the second, taking the combat to his younger opponent and opening up a 3-0 lead.
It was a scrappy contest, with some moments of brilliance from each males however errors aplenty, and again got here Alcaraz to degree the match as Djokovic limped across the court docket.
However the Serbian has received the title right here on a couple of event regardless of being bodily compromised and he produced an outstanding returning recreation to interrupt serve once more and take the set.
Djokovic had discovered an actual groove on his floor strokes and significantly on return, piling the strain on an more and more annoyed Alcaraz.
He cracked at 2-3 solely to hit straight again, however the Spaniard was shouting at himself once more as Djokovic clinched a 3rd straight break, sending a forehand arrowing into the nook after which placing his finger to his ear as he soaked up the cheers.
The 37-year-old had stayed supremely calm however he performed his orchestra as soon as extra after coming from 0-30 right down to clinch the set.
Alcaraz appeared out of concepts and one other break early within the fourth pushed him nearer to the exit, however, on the ropes, the Spaniard punched again.
A pulsating 33-shot rally that left each males barely in a position to stand helped him save digital match level at 2-4 15-40, however Alcaraz couldn’t break the Djokovic serve and the 37-year-old roared in delight after a remaining backhand from the Spaniard hit the online.
‘Phenomenal efficiency from Djokovic’
Tim Henman, talking on Eurosport:
“An absolutely phenomenal performance! After losing the first set, he really did look down and out – struggling with injury, but as the match went on he only got stronger and stronger.
“The standard from each gamers was distinctive.
“Djokovic really showed his experience. I think a lot of people, when struggling with an injury, would have been distracted.
“However truly he was clear in his thoughts about the best way he wanted to play, which was much more aggressive – and he nonetheless stored the unforced error depend down.
“He was the better player on the night.”
Earlier, Zverev reached his third Australian Open semi-final with a four-set win over American Tommy Paul.
The second seed, who’s bidding for a primary Grand Slam title, had misplaced each his earlier two conferences towards Paul however proved the stronger within the huge moments to win 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-0) 2-6 6-1.
Paul, seeded twelfth, served for each the primary and second units, however Zverev broke again on every event and performed two glorious tie-breaks.
“I feel like I stole both of those sets in a way, because he was playing better than me,” mentioned Zverev.
“In the tie-break I played quite well. He maybe missed a little bit more than he should have. I’m happy that I won in four sets because this was a difficult one.”
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